The young man who accompanied him had set down his suit-case, and he now sat down on one of the chairs, and proceeded to lean back and laugh hilariously.
Montague stood staring from one to the other.
“My God, my God!” said Bates, again. “I hope I may never go through with a job like this—-I believe my hair will be grey before morning!”
“You forget that you haven't told me yet what's the matter,” said Montague.
“Sure enough,” said Bates.
And suddenly he sat up and stared at him.
“Mr. Montague,” he exclaimed, “don't go back on us! You've no idea how I've been working—and it will be the biggest scoop of a lifetime. Promise me that you won't give us away!”
“I cannot promise you,” said Montague, laughing in spite of himself, “until you tell me what it is.”
“I'm afraid you are not going to like it,” said Bates. “It was a mean trick to play on you, but I was desperate. I didn't dare take the risk myself, and Rodney wasn't dressed for the occasion.”
“You haven't introduced your friend,” said Montague.