At this stage of the proceedings I opened the door and beckoned O.P. 281, who was lounging against the wall of the Town Hall opposite, to advance.
‘I give this person into custody,’ I began, but this proved sufficient, the man from D. and B.’s had fled with unprecedented speed, and so after pouring palm oil into the ever-ready hand of the worthy officer, I went upstairs.
I found the other three gazing anxiously at the clock, which pointed to a quarter to one, and appeared to be advancing terribly quickly.
‘Hadn’t we better call a cab,’ said the Pilot; ‘supposing the oof does turn up about five to, we shall have to drive to the bank before we can go to the Proctor.’
‘Yes, my aunt, I’d never thought of that,’ said Reggie, ‘It’ll take fully another minute and a quarter, say even one and a half, and minutes are exceptionally precious just now.’
At this juncture the Corker, who was as excited as anybody, rushed breathlessly into the room and gasped, ‘The postman ’as just left Thomas,’ me lord, an’ ’e’ll be ’ere in a minute.’
‘No, by Jingo, that’s ripping,’ cried Freddy, ‘we must be getting off then,’ and as he spoke we all rushed downstairs together.
While we were picking our caps out of the collection in the hall, the Pilot, who always acts the part of Job’s comforter on these occasions, remarked slowly, ‘I say, what shall we do if the draft doesn’t come?’