“And he?”
“He asked if that would be a bargain; and when I said it would, he grasped me warmly by the hand on Higgs’s behalf—though what it could matter to him passes my comprehension.”
“But he saw that even though Higgs were to shew himself and say who he was, it would mean death to himself and no good to any one else?”
“Perfectly.”
“Then he can have meant nothing by shaking hands with you. It was an idle jest. And now for your poachers. You do not know who they were? I will tell you. The two who sat on the one side the fire were Professors Hanky and Panky from the City of the People who are above Suspicion.”
“No,” said George vehemently. “Impossible.”
“Yes, my dear boy, quite possible, and whether possible or impossible, assuredly true.”
“And the third man?”
“The third man was dressed in the old costume. He was in possession of several brace of birds. The Professors vowed they had not eaten any—”
“Oh yes, but they had,” blurted out George.