'Is the railway company going to stand us treat this journey?' shouted
Mortimer.
'Yes,' replied Dick, putting his head out, 'seven the last time and seven this; we should have more than a couple of quid.'
When the train stopped and a voice was heard crying, 'All tickets here!' he said to Dubois, Bret, and Montgomery, 'Now then, you fellows, cut off; get Mortimer and a few of the chorus-men to join you; we're seven short.'
As they ran away he continued to Leslie: 'I hope Hayes won't bungle it; he's got the tickets to-day.'
'You shouldn't have let him take them; you know he's always more or less drunk, and may answer forty-two.'
'I can't help it if he does; I'd something else to look after at Hanley.'
'Tickets!' said the guard.
'Our acting manager has them; he's in the end carriage.'
'You know I don't want anything said about it; Hayes and I are old pals; but it's a damned nuisance to have an acting manager who's always boozed. I have to look after everythin', even to making up the returns. But I must have a look and see how he's gettin' on with the guard,' said Dick, jumping up and putting his head out of the window.
After a moment or two he withdrew it and said hastily, 'By Jove! there's a row on. I must go and see what's up. I bet that fool has gone and done something.'