"Where's princess?" demanded his host abruptly.
Pete answered with an indefinite wave of the hand.
"She awaits me," he said.
The stout gentleman winked again, knowingly, and thrust an elbow into the ribs of his guest. He was clinging to Pete's arm. Pete hesitated. He wanted something more; in fact, he had not yet obtained that for which he had gone in search. Yet why hesitate? Surely a gentleman who offered his last bottle would not quibble over an automobile.
"Do you happen, sir, to have a car that I could borrow for a short time?"
"Car? Le's see." His host thought for several seconds. "Nope, all cars out with family. All cars out in society. All cars——"
He paused, then smiled broadly yet mysteriously.
"Sh! This way, prince."
Although there was nobody in the house, the owner thereof tiptoed his way carefully along the porch toward the rear, with a constant beckoning and a warning for caution. He created in Pete the impression that they were now upon an errand of distinctly clandestine character and must manage the affair accordingly.