“Yes,” went on Edward, warming up to the subject. “I would gladly give him my allowance. I dare say it’s more than he makes now and he could have what I made, too. I don’t want it. All I want is a little freedom.”
“But what about your sister and Clarence? Wouldn’t they find out?”
“Clarence wouldn’t because he has never noticed Edward l’Estrange and doesn’t know anything about the likeness. If it were necessary, we could tell Georgiana. But I would rather not. It will be a secret between us three.”
“And are we to trust you to run the Firefly and take us out in the motor?” asked Billie, doubtfully.
“Won’t you please?” asked the boy so earnestly that Billie smiled.
“It may not be necessary,” she said. “Edward has to be won over first. There he is at last,” she added, looking down the avenue. “We had better hurry back. They will be missing us.”
It was not long before the Firefly party was hastening back to the hotel in the faithful red motor.
“Billie,” whispered Nancy, “what happened? Did you find him? And was it Mr. Ignatius Donahue? And was he dead——”
“No, Nancy dear, the dead man had run away, thank heavens, whichever one he was.”
Nancy gave an hysterical little giggle.