The inspector was an old friend of Blount's, and although he pretended to be tired of it, was himself interested in the Martin matter.
"Yes, you can have him, I suppose, but that Martin matter will be the death of me, I'm afraid." And having fired this shot the inspector left "for a few minutes," but when Morgan entered at the end of a half hour he had not returned. Blount accordingly informed him that he had obtained the necessary permission.
"And I'll take it on myself to say you need not wait to report now. Come along! We can talk as we walk. We must get down to Blackwall."
Once on the street, however, Morgan stopped him and hurriedly related his interview with the boy.
"By George! Morgan, this is connected with the Martin matter, I'll bet a shilling!"
"What is all this gambling about? The Martin matter?" asked the inspector, who had come behind them unobserved.
"You've just hit it," returned Blount, on seeing who had addressed them. "And you must help me a good deal this time. Come inside."
The three entered, and after a hard fought battle Blount came out triumphant, and hurried Morgan away with this parting injunction:
"Do anything—plead, steal, lie, anything—but get the boy out before they notice his absence. When you are through meet me at Horn's at Blackwall. Now jump!"
Having delivered this not altogether pious exhortation, Blount walked leisurely in the direction of Blackwall, while his partner hurried off in the opposite direction.