"Tom," said I suddenly, "you never heard of Tom Cragg, did you?"
"Can't say as I have," he answered, stroking his chin thoughtfully,
"though there was a Dick Snagget in the 'Thirty-Ninth,' I remember."
"And you don't know who 'George' is, of course?" I continued
musingly.
"Why, I've knowed a many Georges in my time," said he, "and then
there's George, Prince o' Wales, the Prince Regent, as they calls
him now."
"George, Prince of Wales!" said I, staring; "by heavens, Tom, I
believe you've hit it!" And, with the word, I sprang down from
the cart.
"My cottage is near by, sir, and I should be proud for you to eat
supper wi' me--that is--if you be so minded?"
"Many thanks," said I, "but I am not so minded, and so, good-by,
Tom!" And, with the words, I wrung the soldier's honest hand in
mine, and went upon my way.
"George, Prince of Wales!" said I to myself; "could this be the
'George' they had meant? If so, then who and what had they
supposed me?" Hereupon, as I walked, I fell into a profound
meditation, in which I presently remembered how that Tom Cragg
had also mentioned the Prince, giving me to understand that his
Highness had actually ordered him (Tom Cragg) to leave London;
and why? "Arter that theer kidnappin', an' me 'avin' laid out
Sir Jarsper Trent--accordin' to yer order."
Sir Jasper Trent! I stopped stock still in the road. Sir Jasper
Trent! At last I remembered the name that had eluded me so
persistently. Remembered it? Nay, indeed, it was rather as if
the Pugilist had whispered the words into my ear, and I glanced
round almost expecting to see him.
"Arter that theer kidnappin', an' me 'avin' laid out Sir Jarsper
Trent--accordin' to yer orders!"
According to my orders, or rather, the orders of the man for whom
he (in common with the two gentlemen at "The Chequers") had mistaken
me. But who was that man? Of him I knew two facts--namely, that
he was much like me in person, and had formerly worn, or possibly
still wore, whiskers. And beyond these two facts I could get no
farther, revolve the matter how I might, so I presently shrugged
my shoulders, and banishing it from my thoughts for the time being,
set forward at a good pace.