Percy went off for the clothes, and Ralph then went on:
"Now I want a black or grayish beard, whiskers, and mustache."
"I have not got such a thing," the hairdresser said, "but I know a man who keeps them. I will get it for you, in a quarter of an hour."
In a few minutes Percy returned, with a boy with Ralph's clothes. In a short time they were ready to start.
"You do look a strange object, Ralph."
"Never mind, Percy, there are plenty of strange objects here. No one will notice me."
Then saying that they would call in again in half an hour, for the beard, they went to a chemist's; from whom--after some talk--they obtained a mixture to give a slightly brown tinge to their faces.
They now dived into the back streets of the town, found a second-hand clothes shop, and speedily got the articles they required. Ralph had a long greatcoat, with a fur collar; and a pair of high boots, coming up to his knees and to be worn over the trousers. A black fur cap completed his costume. Percy had a black cap, made of rough cloth, with a peak and with flaps to come down over the ears; an old greatcoat, with fur round the pockets and collar; a bright-colored handkerchief, to go two or three times round the neck; and high boots like those of Ralph.
They then returned to the hairdresser, and Ralph insisted that the beard and mustache should be fastened on not only in the ordinary manner--with springs--but with cobbler's wax.
"My life," he said, "might depend upon the things not slipping, at any moment."