"What will you have, Ashton?" and as Ashton hesitated a moment before replying Chappell spoke for him: "Silence gives consent; he will keep us company."
"Of course you will bring one for yourself, Tom."
"I never refuse to take a glass with a gentleman, especially in such company as the present."
They were soon engaged sipping their fuming punch, and in a very short time Ashton seemed the gayest and most voluble of the company.
CHAPTER XIX.
A STARTLING NEWSPAPER ITEM TO MR. AND MRS. REID.
That night Mr. and Mrs. Reid waited long and anxiously for Ashton, but as he did not return they concluded he must have decided to remain at the Metropolitan, so at one o'clock in the morning they retired, not, however, without misgivings that all was not right.
They slept long that morning, and when they had completed their toilets Mr. Reid found the Rochester Democrat lying at the door. He read it leisurely as he ate his toast and sipped his coffee, now and then reading an item which he thought would be particularly interesting to his wife. Suddenly he exclaimed:
"My God, it is Ashton!" And in his excitement he sprang from his seat, nearly upsetting the table and seriously frightening Mrs. Reid.
"What is it Robert?" she said. "Oh, read it please."