Van Dorn and Livingstone looked, but could not be certain. They did not see him return.
It was somewhat after midnight, and the chimes of Grace Church, mingled with a pandemonium of horns and whistles, were still roaring in the glad New Year, when they finally obtained the brown loaf and the cup of hot coffee, which by this time they needed desperately. The bread they thrust under their coats, and some minutes later were in the studios.
Colonel Hazard was with them. He had maintained a wonderful self-possession when overhauled at Fleischmann's.
"Excellent place to study character," he remarked, after the first moment of surprise. "I come here now and then for the feeling."
And Van Dorn had answered:
"I've got enough to last me forever!"
The coals were still red in their grate, and over them they toasted the bread. For a while they attended to this busily, and talked but little. Then came the tobacco. It was like heaven.
Presently Perner told the Colonel of some Egyptian articles wanted by the "Columbian."
"They offered them to me," he said, "and I took them, because I haven't had the courage to refuse anything lately. But I had you in mind at the time to help me on with them, and now I've something else on hand, I'll turn them over to you altogether, if you'll take them."
The Colonel was very near to losing his quiet dignity at this news. He was obliged to clear his throat several times before replying. At last he said, quite naturally: