At this point Mr Sharp was interrupted by the door opening violently, and a detective in plain clothes entering with a stout young man in his grasp.
“Who have we here?” asked Mr Sharp.
“Man travelling without a ticket sir,” replied the detective, whose calm demeanour was in marked contrast to the excitement of his prisoner.
“Ha! come here; what have you to say for yourself?” demanded the superintendent of the man.
Hereupon the man began a violent exculpation of himself, which entailed nearly half-an-hour of vigorous cross-questioning, and resulted in his giving a half-satisfactory account of himself, some trustworthy references to people in town, and being set free.
This case having been disposed of, Mr Sharp resumed his conversation with Blunt.
“Having been changed, then, into a railway porter, Blunt, you will proceed to Gorton to discharge your duties there, and while doing so you will make uncommonly good use of your eyes, ears, and opportunities.”
Mr Sharp smiled and Blunt chuckled, and at the same time Joseph Tipps entered the room.
“Good-evening, Mr Sharp,” he said. “Well, anything more about these Gorton robberies?”
“Nothing more yet, Mr Tipps, but we expect something more soon, for a new porter is about to be sent to the station.”