“It is at what those two said. They have you down fine, Billy, and think you are a foxy old rascal with brains. So the two are going to lay a deep plot and are not going at it hastily so as to be sure to catch you. The chauffeur has promised to eat his shirt if he can’t catch you in three days.”
“They better lay a deep, dark plot and keep it under their hats if they intend to catch me within three days, for I am leaving in about fifteen minutes,” answered Billy.
“Oh, Mr. Whiskers, you don’t mean that! You surely don’t mean to leave us so soon. Besides, if I am to go with you to Paris, I can’t possibly get ready in that time. Why, I have all the chickens, ducks, pigs and the other fowls and animals on the place to say good-by to, let alone all my friends in the hospital!”
“Then you can’t travel with me, Miss Rosie de la France, as we three never know ten minutes ahead where we will be next, or what our next move will be. My being alive now is all due to my being able to think and act quickly. And I must leave here before those two plotting my capture set eyes on me again. Now here are my plans. I made them while walking over here. I will go ahead to the outskirts of the next town. There I will wait for Stubby, Button, Duke and yourself, if you still feel like risking your life with us, and taking all the hardships that come along without a whimper or complaint. For it is our motto never to complain or cry over spilt milk. What is done is past and gone; why spoil the present and becloud the future by dwelling on it?”
“Thank you, Mr. Whiskers, but I think probably I better stay here until my mistress comes for me. My surprising her might turn out not to be pleasant after all.”
“I think you are wise in your decision, for these are troublous times to be running around loose without a particular friend, and I think you are not enough accustomed to hard knocks to travel with three such hardened travelers as we are.”
“I am glad that sniffly-nosed, red-eyed little poodle is not going with us,” mused Button to himself. “I never could abide poodles, anyway, and this one seems to be a sentimental fuss-and-feathers kind of one.”
“Time’s up, boys! Glad to have met you all, and hope if any of you ever come to America that I shall have the good luck to run into you and the chance of returning some of the hospitality you have extended to me as well as that I may show you some of our beautiful country. Remember, Button, as soon as Stubby is able to travel to meet me on the outskirts of the next town. Good-by, good-by, kind friends!” and Billy was off.
He had scarcely disappeared in the darkness when the dogs heard the chauffeur and the cook coming toward the woods. They were sneaking along, looking carefully under every bush and behind every pile of stones for Billy.
“I tell you,” said the cook, “I saw him running in this direction after we had the mix-up with the bees.”