‘No, professor; Mr. Merton will tell you that he is released, and I’ll be going home.’
‘You won’t stop and smoke?’
‘No, I should be de trop,’ answered the chief; ‘good night, professor; good night, Mr. Merton.’
‘But the broken window?’
‘Oh, we’ll settle that, and let you have the bill.’
Merton gave his club address, and the chief shook hands and departed.
‘Now, what have you been doing, Merton?’ asked Lumley.
Merton briefly explained the whole set of circumstances, and added, ‘Now, Lumley, you are my sole hope. You can give me a bed to-night?’
‘With all the pleasure in the world.’
‘And lend me a set of Mrs. Lumley’s raiment and a lady’s portmanteau?’