Rogues & Company

Book Excerpt: ...ble made a fierce clutch at the supposed captive. Dr. Frohlocken warded off the attack with a sweep of the arm."Don't be a fool, James! You've done enough stupid things for one evening. Go to bed, the lot of you. This gentleman is my patient. Come in, sir, come in.""Look 'ere," said Constable X. from the doorstep. Dr. Frohlocken looked."Well? What at?""Look 'ere," the Law repeated undeterred, "that's my man, if you don't mind, sir.""Your man? Is this a slave-country? What right have you to call him your man?"A shadow of bitter disappointment stole over the Constable's round red face."I found 'im," he said."Suppose you did? What do you want to do with him? Take him to the Lost Property Office as though he were an umbrella? My God and you call this a civilised country? Go away with you--""Well, wot about them burglars and the silver wot they took?" Constable X. persisted doggedly. The doctor pressed his finger to his nose...