"I don't know. I shouldn't wonder if he would be waiting outside to get a view of me."
"And if he does?"
"He will do all he can to get me back to the poorhouse."
"Then I'll tell you what to do. Go out of the stage door arm in arm with me, and I will address you as Ralph. If he speaks, appear not to know him."
"That will be a capital joke," said Jed taking in the humor of the situation.
"Between us, I think we can bluff him off."
Jed had appeared in the last act in his street costume, and had no preparations to make, but Bertram had to exchange his stage for his ordinary dress. When they were ready they emerged from the stage door arm in arm. A glance showed Jed that Percy was waiting to intercept him. He did not appear to notice Percy, but passed on.
Percy hastened forward, and touched him on the arm.
"Look here, I want to speak to you," he said.
"Speak on, my boy," said Jed, assuming the style of his new profession.