“I am afraid it isn’t,” thought Gerald. “I fear Tip isn’t likely to turn out a good man or a model citizen. He is smart enough, but he isn’t using his smartness in the right way.”
“Where have you been, Gerald?” asked Mr. Brooke, when his secretary returned to the hotel. “You don’t often come back late to lunch.”
“I was unavoidably detained, Mr. Brooke. In other words, I was imprisoned.”
“Is that true?” asked the English tourist in surprise. “Please explain yourself.”
Gerald did so.
“So the papers were taken?”
“Yes, they are gone,” answered Gerald, smiling. “I should like to see Mr. Wentworth when he discovers that he has been duped.”
“He and his agent will both be disappointed. Do you know if he is in the city?”
“I believe he is at the Southern Hotel.”
“Waiting till his agent has secured the papers, I presume?”