He winked his left eye suddenly.
"If he did escape there'd be a reward.

I reckon," said Ben.
"Precisely," said Bill; "there'd be a reward.

Now, if that Missin' Link could escape--if helped--and if there was a reward offered fer his capture, what's t' prevent us earnin' it ?" The shearers looked at each other gravely.

Then they all winked.
"The spoutin' bloke sez he likes his fill iv tangle," said Bill, "well he'll get it t-night.

I'm goin t' stand a spree fer me poor relation." That night at about ten o'clock, when Professor Thunder was concentrating the attention of his patrons on the fascinating boniness of Matty Cann, Nickie, who was taking his ease on the straw, became aware of a slight disturbance at his elbow, between the back of his cage and the tent wall.
Blinking his eyes he discovered the shape of a man in the darkness.