“Do you know where he lodges?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then I will ask you to go around there, and by some means gain admission to his room. If he has any of our goods secreted take possession of them and report to me.”
“Very well, sir.” Half an hour later Mrs. McCarty, Rodney’s landlady, in response to a ring admitted Mr. James Redwood.
“Does a young man named Ropes lodge here?” he asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“I come from the house where he is employed. He has inadvertently left in his room a parcel belonging to us, and I should be glad if you would allow me to go up to his room and take it.”
“You see, sir,” said Mrs. McCarty in a tone of hesitation, “while you look like a perfect gentleman, I don’t know you, and I am not sure whether, in justice to Mr. Ropes, I ought to admit you to his room.”
“You are quite right my good lady; I am sure. It is just what I should wish my own landlady to do. I will therefore ask you to go up to the room with me to see that all is right.”
“That seems all right, sir. In that case I don’t object. Follow me, if you please.”