"I will."
Scarcely two minutes had elapsed when a key was heard in the lock and the door was opened.
"How came you here, sir?" asked the landlady, a short, stout woman—suspiciously.
"The gentleman locked me in—in a joke," said Tony.
"Maybe you're a burglar," said the landlady, eyeing him doubtfully.
Tony laughed.
"Do I look like it?" he asked.
"Well, no," the landlady admitted, "but appearances are deceitful."
"Not with me, I assure you. I am really sorry to put you to so much trouble to let me out. Won't you accept of this?" and Tony produced a half sovereign.
"Really, sir, I see that you are quite the gentleman," said the landlady, pocketing the piece with avidity. "Can't I do anything for you?"