“I must allow it,” replied the larger of the ruffians, “that you have come straight-for’ed to the scratch, Mr. Jones; and I hopes you vo’nt take it amiss, that we axed that part of the coal should be posted before we undertakes the job. Ye see, it’s what we calls heavy work,—nothing like greasing a man’s fist before he commences, it makes him go at the bisniss slap, because he knows that the rowdy will be stumped up when all’s right afterwards. It’s now late enough, so if you’ll show us the way into the park, and point the right-un out, we’ll make matters sure to-morrow night, and no mistake.”
“I am satisfied you will acquit yourselves like men of spirit,” was the reply. “Proceed down the lane that turns to the right, and when I discharge the reckoning, I’ll mount my horse and follow. At the second gate—you will find it open—wait for me.”
“The ruffians twain” rose and left the room, their employer called a bill, ordered his horse to the door, and quitted the hostlerie. The Captain prepared to follow him, and having kissed the landlady, a liberty for which he received a severe reproof, accompanied, however, by a general invitation to drop in as often as he could, “the George” in a few minutes was totally deserted, and Mrs. Tomkins issued orders that her premises should be closed for the night, with a passing remark to her attendant, of “what a nice man Mr. Hartley’s keeper was.”
CHAPTER XLV.
Gloster.—“I was a pack-horse in his great affairs.”
King Richard III
“Thou art in London—in that pleasant place
Where ev’ry kind of mischief’s daily brewing.”