"
"As it might he, or as it might not. What about the--" He pointed to
Percy Bennett's breast-pocket.
"I'll give it you outside. You don't want me to be seen handing it over
in here, do you?"
The Sergeant had one more question to ask. "About 'ow much d'ye reckon
there might be by now?"
"How often have they been to London? Because they don't come to see my
friends every time, I fancy."
"Must 'ave been six or seven times by now. The game began soon after
Boomery and I came 'ere."
"Then, quite roughly, quite a shot, from what I know of the deals we--my
friends, I mean--did with them, and reasoning from that, there might be a
matter of seven or eight thousand pounds."
The Sergeant whistled softly, rose, and led the way to the door. The
gentlemanly stranger paused at the bar to pay for the brandy, and after
bidding the landlord a civil good-evening, with the compliments of the
season, followed the Sergeant into the village street.
Fifteen minutes' brisk walk brought them to Hinton Avenue. At the end of
it they passed Doctor Mary's house; the drawing-room curtains were not
drawn; on the blind they saw reflected the shadows of a man and a girl,
standing side by side.
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