“A terrible business—a terrible business! I thought we were beginning to see daylight again; but—poor weak rash boy!—this is ten times worse!”
“Yes, sir—a hundred times!” said Jerry, with a groan; and master and man gazed in each other’s eyes for some time in silence, till Mr Draycott gave a start.
“I am so stunned and helpless with this trouble upon trouble,” he cried huskily, “that I can hardly think—I can hardly believe it true. Tell me what you have done. You gave notice to the police, of course?”
“The police, sir?” said Jerry, with a vacant look. “No; I never thought of that!”
“And you have not given the alarm—sent people down the river in boats?”
Jerry shook his head in a weary, helpless way.
“Quick, then; do something, man!” cried Mr Draycott, wildly. “Run to the station and tell the inspector; they will take steps at once.”
“I—I thought you would want to hush it up, sir.”
“Hush it up, man!” cried the tutor, angrily. “You are crazy!”
“Yes, sir, pretty nigh,” said Jerry, pitifully. “My head feels as if it won’t go; and I don’t know what I’m saying half my time.”