He ran to Pen.
"I say, Pen, give the kid to me, or you'll drop it."
"Drop him!" exclaimed Penelope. "Oh, Bob, is it likely?"
"Very likely," said Bob, "if you knew that I sent a telegram to some one just as soon as we got here!"
Pen flushed scarlet. But not with anger.
"Oh, Bob!"
"I did! You ain't angry?"
"Oh, Bob!"
"I don't care," said Bob, as he took the child. "I don't care a hang. I'm ruined with all these jossers now. De Vere will never buy any more dogs of me. I say, who's that?"
A motor-car stopped outside the great hall door, and a gentleman in black got out. He came up the steps rapidly, and stopped dead when he found all the world in front of him.