page65 (2/2)

‘And do you intend to comply with his request?’

‘Ah, were that it was merely a request It was ratherman, your Mr Grey I would see he has an inch or so on you and you are a most formidable fellow yourself, sir I aiants Naturally should Mr Osbourne appear I will insert said advertisement’

Edge nodded and took a strip of paper fro a direction on it

‘Should you hear of anything—Osbourne, Mr Greyanything—send word to this solicitor’s office And should you breathe a word of this to anyone I will tear this vulgar little circus down about your ears Understood?’

Pettifer’s eyes widened, an appreciative look brightening his gaze, as if the dradoed Samson, appealed to him

‘My understanding is excellent, I assure you, sir’

‘Good, we’re done here For now’

He strode towards the door, but Sam turned to Pettifer

‘Why did you keep e man”?’

Mr Pettifer sht think ood show and I knohen I aht have soe where she can do so credibly And the reseh not marked, is there Unless I am very much mistaken yourah Mr Grey was in the cohter Now I ood for the accounts Do stay I shall even waive your cost of admission’

With that Parthian shot he hurried off Edge’s glare following him as he took Sam’s arm

‘Little weasel Coo’

‘Not yet I wish to see the unwrapping’

‘Good God, you cannot be serious!’

‘I am most serious I am curious about this man and I want to see him at his trade, as he put it At the moment he is the only link to your brother and his peculiar activities Theis to examine him as minutely as if he were one of Poppy’s antiquarian finds or one of Huxley’s embalmed monstrosities’