The Sheriff received the first evidence the plan had been sprung just after the noon hour.
Dowdy Cray and Bog the Blacksmith ambled into the gaol to find Forgo polishing off a bowl of lamb pie, a savory concoction of tender meat, carrots, potatoes, and herbs that had been carefully baked into a crust by Mrs. Fowl, the village’s finest cook. He washed it down with draughts from a mug of cider and burped with sweet satisfaction.
“Sheriff, we thought you should know …” said Dowdy with uncertainty.
“We ain’t trying to be worrywarts,” continued Bog, “but there’s some strange stuff goin’ on in the village.”
“Really? Sit down, boys, and tell me all about it,” murmured Forgo like a fat spider about to devour his prey.
“Well, it’s Market Day and the shops should be bustling, but half of ‘em are dead empty.” Dowdy Cray looked around, as if he was revealing a secret.
“Too true, Sheriff. The Bumbling Badger tavern, the baker, and our shops are fine. But some others—like the miller’s shop, apothecary, and grocer’s are without customers. So is the butcher shop and most of the seedy taverns and stalls in Fell’s Corner. The whole village is buzzin’ about it, but we can’t figure why.”
“Hmmmm … I wonders what them places all have in common?” begged the Sheriff, scratching his scruffy whiskered chin. “Maybe them places have all fallen out of fashion.”
“I ain’t no genius,” noted the wagoncrafter (You ain’t kiddin’, Dowdy, giggled Forgo to himself), “But all them places are owned by Osgood Thrip and, so goes the rumors, backed by the Mayor himself. But why would everyone bug outta their shops?”
“Now that’s a mystery, fellers! But I thanks ya both for stoppin’ in and letting me know. I’ll look into it right away. At least, after my nap.”
Forgo burped loudly and ambled back into the cells, where he would spend the next hour in sweet slumber. The cadre’s plan was already beginning to pay dividends—and now he knew it was time to launch the second part of their scheme.
“Have a lovely day, Osgood!” he thought to himself as he settled down for a well-earned snooze.