He impressed one in a moment as being fond of
drink. On one or two occasions I found this quality of great service
to me in matters relating to the discovery of lost dogs. Drink, no
doubt, has its advantages to those who do not drink.
"Muster Orkins, sir," said he, "beggin' your pardon, sir, but might I
have a word with you, Muster Orkins, if it ain't a great intrusion,
sir?"
I saw my man at once, and showed him that I understood business.
"You are Sam Linton?"
It took his breath away. He hadn't much, but poor old Sam did not
like to part with it. In a very husky voice, that never seemed to get
outside his mouth, he said,--
"_Yus, sur_; that's it, Mr. Orkins." Then he breathed, "Yer 'onner,
wot I means to say is this--"
"What do you want, Linton? Never mind what you mean to say; I know
you'll never say it."
"Well, Mr. Orkins, sir, ye see it is as this: you've lost a little
dorg. Well, you'll say, 'How do you know that 'ere, Sam?' 'Well, sir,'
I says, ''ow don't I know it? Ain't you bin an' offered _fourteen pun_
for that there leetle dorg? Why, it's knowed dreckly all round Mile
End--the werry 'ome of lorst dorgs--and that there dorg, find him when
you wool, why, he ain't worth more'n _fourteen bob_, sir.' Now, 'ow
d'ye 'count for that, sir?"
"You've seen him, then?"
"Not I," says Sam, unmoved even by a twitch; "but I knows a party as
'as, and it ain't likely, Mr.
Pages:
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86