"Gentlemen—gentlemen! what—what shall I do?" exclaimed Pate, groaning piteously.
"Toney," said the Professor, "an expedient suggests itself to my mind, but I am doubtful of its propriety."
"What is it?" asked Toney.
"Do you think that it would be morally wrong for Mr. Pate to take French leave?"
"I do not," said Toney. "He cannot pay the bill, and unless he escapes as speedily as possible he may have to die in prison. A man may do anything to preserve his liberty. Besides, when Mr. Pate returns from California with his gold, he can stop at Rio and pay the bill."
"I will! I will!" exclaimed Pate. "I will pay every dollar of it!"
"Come here, Mr. Pate," said the Professor. And he and Toney conducted him to the street and pointed towards the harbor.
"Run!" said the Professor.
"Run!—run!" exclaimed Toney.
"Run, Pate!—run!" cried Tom Seddon, who had followed them out.