Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 65: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

48 THE COURT OF LONDON one of the officers attached to the police-court and the most famous thief-taker of the day. Being shown into a private room, Mr. Hodson and the commercial traveller were speedily waited upon by a middle- aged man, six feet in height, of large proportions, and evi- dently endowed with a herculean amount of strength. He was attired in a shabby style; but this was from habitual! neglect, and not from necessity, as his ealling was a most lucrative one. In his hand he carried a substantial stick or rather bludgeon; and his coat-pockets stuck out suspiciously as if they contained pistols. This was Mr. Peter Grumley; and to him did the merchant unfold the purport of his visit. The officer listened with ereat attention — never once opening his lips until Mr. Hodson had concluded all he had to say. “And this is the genelman which was robbed?” he at length observed, jerking the thumb of his left hand over his shoulder toward Mr. Page, who was standing a little in his rear; for the officer was sitting in a lounging manner upon the edge of a table. ‘““ Yes, this is my commercial traveller,’’ answered the merchant; ‘‘ and he will give you any additional information you may require.”’ “Good and well,” said Grumley, laconically. ‘‘ Was you a-coming home in your vehicle? ” he demanded, now turning round and taking a calm but lengthened survey of Mr. Page, who felt very uncomfortable indeed under the scru- tiny. ‘“ No — not exactly,’’ was the reply. ‘‘ | — I was on foot at the time. In fact, it was after I had put up my horse and shay at the George and Blue Boar.”’ ‘Well, and where did the robbery take place? ”’ asked Grumley. “In a dark and narrow lane leading out of the Hidgeware Road — about a mile up, on the left hand.” ‘“And what were you doing in such an out-of-the-way quarter with my property in your possession? ’’ demanded Mr. Hodson, angrily. Page saw that it was useless to attempt any further con- cealment of the real truth — especially as disagreeable sus- picions might fall upon himself. He accordingly related, without more hesitation, all the particulars of his adventures ECORNIE COOKS (E(0) m