Now what puzzles me is, how you let him slip ?" I did not answer this.
"The Belcher woman had a hand in it, I'll lay odds.

Never mind-- don't you answer if you'd rather not.

But when I caught up with him, he didn't escape _me_: that's to say, he won't: and it'll be a sight worse for him than if he hadn't tried." He paused again, and laughed to himself silently--a laugh unhealthy to watch.
"I came on him in Lisbon streets," he went on; "came on him from behind and put a hand on his shoulder.

He's an almighty coward-- that's his secret--and the way he jumped did me good.

'Recruit for the North Wilts,' said I.