"Should I just go up and explain to Luke that you say he's to come out and go back to his job?" he said. "You can't think how scared he is."
"I think that's a good idea," said Inspector Jenks, "but I think the one to see him and talk to him should be me. Now, don't you worry. I know how to treat boys like Luke."
Inspector Jenks went with Pip up the garden to the summer-house. But Luke was not there.
"Oh, there he is, look," said Pip, pointing to where Luke was busy hoeing the kitchen-garden. "He says he just can't sit and do nothing, Inspector, and he thinks if he does a bit of weeding for us, it is a small way of returning a kindness."
"A nice thought, if I may say so," murmured the Inspector, watching Luke at his work, taking in the boy from head to foot. He turned to Pip.
"Just give him a call, tell him I'm a friend, and then leave us, please," he said.
"Hey, Luke!" yelled Pip. "I've brought a good friend of ours to see you. Come and talk to him."
Luke turned — and saw the big Inspector in his blue uniform. He went white, and seemed as if he was rooted to the ground.
"I didn't steal no cat," he said at last, staring at me Inspector.
"Well, suppose you tell me all about it," said Inspector Jenks. "We'll go and sit in the summer-house."