The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-07-14
TheAmateur Gentleman
by Jeffrey FarnoI

never see a more promising mug,
consequent, I've got Vistlin DICK
down in my little book ere, along
with a lot Of other promising yuns"
But why in your bOok?"
We'll. dye see. I keeps a record Of
all the likely coves. capital coves as
you might call EN-" Here the
mild man jerked his head con-
vuisively to one side. rolled up his
eyes, and protruded his tongue, all
in hideous pantomime. and was i'm
mediately his placid self again.
All you mean-hanged?" said
Barnabas.
AS ever vas, sir, capital punish
ment. And I goes round regular jest
10 keep an eye on my capital coves
Lord watches over EN- alike
a feyther Theirs some volks as
collects books. an some volks as
collects picters an old coins, but
collects capital coves,-names and
faces. It's my trade dye see, and
though there's better trades, still
there's trades as is worse, an that's
summat, amt it?"
And what might your trade be?"
inquired Barnabas, as they walked
on together along the narrow alley.
Well, sir. I'm vot they calls a
bashaw Of the pigs-but I'm more
than that"
Pray" said Barnabas, what do
you mean2" For answer the man
smiled. and half drew from his
pocket a short staff surmounted by
a crown.
All" said Barnabas, "a Bow
Street runner?'
And my name is Shrig, sir, Jasper
Shrig. You'll have heard 1t afore,
o. course"
MOI said Barnabas. Mr.. Shrig
seemed placidly surprised, and
vented a gentle sigh
It's pretty veil known, in London,
sir, though it amt a pretty name,
III allow. Ye-es. I've card prettier,
but then it's better than a good
many. and that's summat, amt it?
And then, as I said afore, it's pretty
veil known"
How sop
"VeH. sir, there be some as as a
leanin' to one branch O. the profess
sion, and some to another-now
mines murders"
"AIurders?" said Barnabas, star
ing.
With a VERY big NJ, sir. Wy,
Lord love you, there's been more
murderers took and topped through
me than any O. the other traps in
London, it's a natral gift With me.
Ye see, I collects 'em-afOre the fact,
as We might say. I can smell EN-
out. feel EN- out, taste 'em out, it's
jest nat'ral gift"
INSTALLMENT FIFTY EIGHT
ID UT-hOw? What do you mean?"
ID I means as I'll be Walking
along a street, say, looking at every
face as I pass. Veil, all at Snce
I'll spot cove or covess With vot
calls a capital mug, III follow
that cove or cOveSs, and by 'ook
or by crook III find out that there
cove or cOVess's name, midtown
it goes in my little book, d We see?"
and he tapped the little book.
But, surely" said Barnabas,
surely they don't all prove to be
murderers?"
well no. sir-that's hardly to be
expected,-ye see. some on 'em van
isheS away. an some goes an dies,
but they mostly turns out true
capitalist I only waits for EN- long
enough, and-up they goes"
And are you always on the look
out for such faCes?"
Yes. Sir-ven I amt busy on
some case. A man must ave some
little relaxation, and that's mine
Lord love you, sir. scarcely a day
goes by that I don't spot one or two.
I've been TO ave a look at a couple
of 'em this mornin'. Aha! it would
amaze you if you could look into
my little reader"
I should like to-" said Barnabas,
eyeing the small. shabby book with
a new interest. But Mr.. Shrig only
blinked his wide, innocent eyes,
and slipping the book into his
pocket, led the way round sudden
corner into another alley narrower
than the last, and. if possible,
dirtier.
ITO Be Continued
80 A 1870