The bed creaked, there was a volcanic upheaval of the clothes as the Baron sprang out on to the floor, and the next instant Mr Bunker was clasped in his embrace.
“Ach, my own Bonker, forgif me! I haf suspected, I haf not been ze true friend; you have sairved me right to gom here as ze Baron. I vas too bad a Baron to gom! You have amused me, you have instrogted, you have varmed my heart. My dear frient!”
To tell the truth, Mr Bunker looked, for the first time in their acquaintance, a little ill at ease. He laughed, but it sounded affected.
“My dear fellow—hang it! You’d make me out a martyr. As a matter of fact, I’ve been such a thorn as very few people would stand in their flesh. There’s nothing to forgive, my dear Baron, and a lot to thank you for.”
“I haf been rude, Bonker; I haf insulted you! You forgif me?”
“With all my heart, if you think it’s needed, but——”
“And you vill not go now? You vill stay here?”
“What, two Barons at once? My dear chap, we’d merely confuse the butler.”
“Ach, you vill joke, you hombog! But you most stay!”
“And what about my friend, Dr Escott? No, Baron, it would only mean breakfast and the next train to Clankwood.”