SO WELL DID MR. CONSTABLE KNOW HIS OLD FRIEND and business partner, Mr. Toop, and such a kind and intuitive man was he, that he could tell something was troubling Toop from the heaviness of his footfalls descending the stairs. However, such was Constable's tact that he spoke no word of his suspicions. Instead, the two men exchanged polite pleasantries and discussed matters of their working day before Mr. Toop finally brought up what was so obviously on his mind.
"In all the years I have known you, I've never asked for a favor, have I?" said Mr. Toop.
"None," conceded Mr. Constable.
"And yet you have bestowed many upon me. You made available these lodgings for me and my boy when we needed a home, you gave me work when none would employ me, and you made me your business partner when you could have easily kept me as an employee."
Mr. Constable raised his palm so that Mr. Toop might stop. "I do not consider these favors," he said, "but, rather, rational business decisions made for sound and wholly selfish reasons. Giving you lodging above your place of work was merely a way to ensure your punctuality. I employed you because you are a first-rate carpenter. And, as for making you a business partner, is there any better way to give someone an incentive to work hard than to give him an interest in the business he works for?"
Mr. Toop smiled at this modesty. "If not toward me, then will you at least concede that your benevolence toward my boy has no motive but philanthropy?"
"I will not concede that point," countered Mr. Constable. "What you call benevolence I would label the selfish indulgence of a childless old man given the great opportunity to play some small part in the upbringing of a brilliant and inspiring boy."
"You are impossible, Mr. Constable."
"And with these words you seek to butter me up for this impending favor, I suppose," said Mr. Constable with an impish grin.
Mr. Toop's face, however, remained resolutely solemn.
"Do you remember my brother, Jack?"
"Of course. Such a colorful character will leave an indelible imprint upon the mind of any who encounter him."
"He appeared at the door late last night."
"Ah, I am relieved."
"Relieved?" exclaimed Mr. Toop.
"Yes, for I feared my inability to raise a smile from you was due to my having lost my touch. Now that I can see there are extraneous factors for your determined sobriety, I am filled with relief."
"My brother is upstairs with Sam. He came here to seek refuge."
"Well, it was a horrendous night," said Mr. Constable. "I thought I would lose my chimney again in the storm."
"Refuge from the law," said Mr. Toop.
"And because of your familial loyalty, you want to help him in spite of the history between you," surmised Mr. Constable.
"It is only a week. I feel I owe him that much. He has promised never to return. But as this property belongs to you, I wouldn't feel right in keeping it secret from you."
"And yet you would rather it be kept secret from everyone else," said Mr. Constable. "Of course."
"Oh, I can see we're going to get on splendidly, all four of us," said a third voice. Jack appeared on the stairs. He walked down to the shop and offered Mr. Constable his hand. "Mr. Constable."
Mr. Constable shook it. "Jack," he said.
"What marvelous company you keep, Charlie," Jack said to his brother. "Your own name on a shop and this excellent fellow as a partner. It seems the business of death has done you well. And that boy of yours, what a cook he is. I swear, that soup would enliven even a dead man's taste buds." Jack laughed and lifted a small black pipe to his mouth.
"If you are to stay here and remain unseen, you must also avoid arousing any of the other senses," said Mr. Toop.
"I don't follow," replied Jack, his grubby fingers packing the pipe with tobacco from the pocket of his waistcoat.
"Neither one of us smokes, so it would seem strange for customers to enter and smell tobacco." Mr. Toop snatched the pipe from Jack's mouth.
"You always did look out for me, didn't you, Charlie?" said Jack with a sneer.
"And you always found ways to embroil me in your troubles."
"As I recall, I played no small part in solving some of them."
"That's enough," Mr. Toop barked. "Get back upstairs."
"Sending me to bed with no supper, is it?" said Jack.
Mr. Constable stepped between the two brothers and said, "I believe Charles is only looking out for you. We have appointments all morning. It would be better for you to go back into hiding if you are to remain unseen."
Jack looked Mr. Constable up and down, grunted, then turned and headed back up the stairs.
