The Dark Highway by Arthur Gask

Police Constable Abel Black pulled up at once and then, without a word stood quietly by his machine and critically regarded the individual who had accosted him. His impressions were not prejudiced in the latter's favour.

In spite of the confident way in which the man had addressed him there was nothing imposing or important about his appearance. He wore dirty black overalls and looked, if anything, like a motor mechanic. A straw hat, which, to say the least of it, was old, served him for head covering, and his boots, the policeman noticed, were well worn and had undoubtedly seen good service on the tramp.