Chapter V
“It’s about time you came down for them,” said Murray. “I ran in three of ’em Thursday night, and the whole gang has been playing Old Harry to-day.”
Murray had been making particular investigation in the township; but this told no more than Purdey knew already.
“What the merry springtime can you expect?” he said. “They’ve had a savage seven months of it up in the hills, and they were just sick for the smell of the township again. They’ll work up to the knocker once I rope ’em back to camp. But you must give a man one chance in the year to blue his cheque. And if you’ll just shut your eyes to a bit of larking———”
“Faith! I’ve had to shut more than my eyes already, my innocent! They have been painting the town red this week-end, and shouting drinks for every mother’s son that can stand up to it. There’s a big hairy brute with one ear gone———”
“Pug Chaney? Yes; I don’t think he would be quite your style. But he’s a first-flight axe
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