"Yes, sir; you rang, sir."
"So I did. You're quite right, Percy. What was it I wanted?" His face brightened. "Oh, yes, the port wine and a cigar—the best quality cigar, mark you. None of your penny stinkers. You tell old whiskers; he'll see to it."
"Yes, sir," murmured the waiter with a gasp.
He retired from the room, to be succeeded a minute later by the landlord, bearing an aged-looking black bottle in one hand and a large cigar-box in the other.
"I hope you enjoyed your lunch, sir," he said, placing these treasures on the table.
"First-rate," replied Mr. Bascombe, smacking his lips.
"You found the wine all right, sir?"
Mr. Bascombe nodded humorously.
"Yes, he was hiding in the bottle, but I got him out."
This witticism was much to the taste of the landlord, who laughed uproariously.