We can capture the _gang_ or we can seduce the
_gang_--by offering a reward."
George jumped in his chair. "Anything wrong?" Mr. Brunger inquired.
"Your--your extraordinary grasp of the case astonishes me," George
exclaimed.
"Experience, sir, experience," said Mr. Brunger airily. Addressing Mr.
Marrapit, "We must put both methods to work," he continued. "I shall
now go to town, look up the chief breeders and set members of my
trained staff to track them. Also I must advertise this reward. With a
cat of such value we cannot use half measures. Shall we say one
hundred pounds to start with?"
"Barley water!" gasped Mr. Marrapit. "Barley water!"
George sprang to the sideboard where always stood a jug of Mr.
Marrapit's favourite refreshment. Mr. Marrapit drank, agitation
rattling the glass against his teeth.
"Think what it means to you, sir," persuaded Mr. Brunger, a little
alarmed at the effects of his proposal.
The detective's tone had a very earnest note, for he was thinking with
considerable gratification what the hundred pounds would mean to
himself. On previous occasions he had urged rewards from his clients,
put Mr. Issy Jago in the way of securing them, and paid that gentleman
a percentage.
"Think what it means to you," he repeated. "What is a hundred pounds
or thrice that sum against the restoration of your cat? Come, what is
it, sir?"
"Ruin," answered Mr.
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