“Yes, sir,” said Samuel.
The worthy doctor was obviously disconcerted. “This is quite extraordinary!” he exclaimed. “Won't you come in?”
They sat down in the library. “I don't want you to think, sir,” said Samuel quickly, “that I come to beg. Your little girl asked me—-”
“Don't mention that,” said the other. “If the story you told Ethel is really true, I should be only too glad to do anything that I could.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Samuel.
“And so you really broke into my house last night!” exclaimed the other. “Well! well! And it is the first time you have ever done anything of the sort in your life?”
“The very first,” said the boy.
“But what could have put it into your head?”
“There was another person with me,” said Samuel—“you will understand that I would rather not talk about him.”
“I see,” said the other. “He led you to it?”