''All right, Mr Ibbs?''he''d say.
''All right, my son,'' Mr Ibbs would answer. He talked rather through his nose, like that. ''What you know?''
''Not much.''
''Got something for me?''
The man would wink. ''Got something, Mr Ibbs, very hot and uncommon ..."
They always said that, or something like it. Mr Ibbs would nod, then pull the blind upon the shop-door and turn the key—for he was a cautious man, and never saw poke near a window. At the back of his counter was a green baize curtain, and behind that was a passage, leading straight to our kitchen. If the thief was one he knew he would bring him to the table. ''Come on, my son,'' he would say. ''I don''t do this for everyone. But you are such an old hand that—well, you might be family'' And he would have the man lay out his stuff between the cups and crusts and tea-spoons.
Mrs Sucksby might be there, feeding pap to a baby. The thief would see her and take off his hat.
All right, Mrs Sucksby?''
All right, my dear.''
All right, Sue? Ain''t you growed!''の本の作の品の由の思の兔の網の提の供の線の上の閱の讀の
I thought them better than magicians. For out from their coats and sleeves would come pocket-books, silk handkerchiefs and watches; or else jewellery, silver plate, brass candlesticks, petticoats—whole suits of clothes, sometimes. ''This is quality stuff, this is,'' they would say, as they set it all out; and Mr Ibbs would rub his hands and look expectant. But then he would study their poke, and his face would fall. He was a very mild-looking man, very honest-seeming—very pale in the cheek, with neat lips and whiskers. His face would fall, it would just about break your heart.