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?”
“Only if you’d be kind enough to give this to the gentleman when he returns.”
Tony hastily wrote a line on a card, and gave it to the now complacent dame.
Fifteen minutes after Tony’s departure Rudolph returned.
He sprang upstairs, only to find the room empty and the bird flown.
What’s come of the boy?” he exclaimed, in dismay. “How did he get out?”