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 vuns.
But why IA your bOok?'
Veil q ye see. I keeps record OF
all the likely cOves, capital coves as
you might call en-" Here the
mild man ierked his head con-
vu.siveiv 70 one side. rolled up his
eyes. and prOtruded his tongue, all
ln hideous pantomme, and was i'm
mediately his placid self again.
An you mean-hanged?" said
Barnabas.
As ever vas. sir. capital punish
meut. and I goes round reg lar Jest
10 keep an eve on my capital cOves.
Lord I Watches over EN- all-like
fevther. Theers some volks as
collects books. am some vOlks as
collects picters an old coins. but I
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
sJmmat, amt it,"
And what might your trade be?"
inquired Barnabas as they walked
on together along the narrow alley.
Vel sir. I'm vOt they calls
bashaw Of the plgs-but I'm more
than that"
PRAY" said Barnabas, what 90
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 runner2'
And my name is Shrig, sir, Jasper
ShrC. You'll have heard it afore,
o. course"
MOI said Barnabas. Mr.. Shrig
seemed placidly surprised, and
vented a gentle sigh.
Its pretty veil known, in London,
sir. though it amt pretty name,
III allow. Ye-es, I've card prettier,
but then its better than a good
many. and that's summat, amt it?
And then. as I said afore, it's pretty
veil known"
How sop
"Veu. sir. there be some as as a
leanin' to one branch O. the profess
sion, and some to another-now
mines MURDERS
"NIurders?" 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 nat'ral gift With me.
Ye see, I collects 'em-afore the fact,
as We might say. I can smell 'em
out, feel EN- out, taste EN- out, it's
jest a nat'ral gift"
n
INSTALLMENT FIFTY EIGHT
ID UT-hOW? What do you mean?"
ID L means as III be Walking
along a street, say. looking at every
face as 1 pass. Veil, all at lice
I'll spot a cove or COvess With vot
L calls a capital mug, I'll follow
that cove or CovesS, and by 'OOk
or by crook I'll find out that there
cove or Covess's name, and-doWn
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 EN- van
isheS away. an some goes an dies,
but they mostly turns out true
capitalist 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 10 ave a look at a couple
Of EN- this mOrnin'. Aha it would
amaze you if YOU could look into
my little reader"
I should like to-" said Barnabas,
cycling the small, shabby book with
a new interest. But Mr.. Shrig only
hlinked 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.
TO BE Continued