The man nods once more, and then looks around with shifty eyes. "It's a fine instrument! Your nephew will be very pleased! I know of several music tutors who would gladly offer their services, as well."
He leans in, taking the two gold from Tommy, and then whispers just loudly enough to be heard over the din of the marketplace "The blacklilies are a group of thieves that specialize in breaking and entering. They can be fairly brutal... especially on their 'ship raids'... that's when they hit a ship that's moored overnight while waiting for an early-morning inspection. They all wear those scarves... I know a couple of the vendors that don't have proper walls - such as myself - will give them a discount on wares... paying 'protection money', I guess. Look, if they hit your ship, you'd be best to just let it pass and moor out of the harbour until the sun comes up next time." The whole time, he is holding the instrument in his hands as if showing Tommy and Conuld how to play it, and rubbing the wood, miming how to clean it.