"I've been standing drinks to a doubtful customer only this morning, and
spent my last half-crown doing it," went on the great Baden-Powell's
brother. "That's why I stopped you boys. I'm a good way from my base
for the moment, and I shall be obliged if you can lend me half a
sovereign, or whatever you've got on you, till to-morrow. If you let me
have your address, you shall get it by midday; and I'll mention your
names to 'B.-P.' next time we meet."
Travers minor looked at the spy in a spellbound sort of way.
"It's a wonderful disguise," he said.
"Not one of my best, though," answered the man. "I never look the same
two days running. Very likely to-morrow I shall be a smart young
officer; and then, again, I may look like a farmer, or a clergyman, or
anything. It's part of my work to be a master of the art of disguises."
Travers minor began to whisper to me, and asked me how much money I had.
Then the great spy spoke again.
"I might give you boys a job next Saturday afternoon, but you'll have to
be pretty smart to do it. I'm taking a German then. I've marked him
down at Little Mudborough--you know, a mile from Merivale--and on
Saturday next, at 'The Wool Pack' public-house, I meet him and arrest
him. I shall want a bit of help, I dare say."
Travers fairly trembled with excitement after that. Then he felt in his
pocket and found he'd only got a shilling, and this he gave to the spy
without a thought; but I happened to have five shillings by an
extraordinary fluke, it being my birthday, and Brown had changed a
postal order from my mother; so I was not nearly so keen about the spy
as Travers minor. Travers was a good deal relieved to hear I'd got as
much, and even then apologised that we could only produce six bob
between us.
The spy seemed rather disappointed, and I made a feeble effort to keep
my five shillings by saying:
"Couldn't you get to the police-station? They'd be sure to have tons of
money there."
But at the mention of a police-station he showed the utmost annoyance,
combined with contempt. He said: "What's your name?"