"Lord," said Mustapha, "all shall be prepared."
Alf dashed upstairs to Bill without considering what it was that Mustapha was going to prepare.
Bill listened unmoved to his friend's narrative.
"Did Lootenant Allen reckernize you?" he asked at the end.
"No more 'n nothin'. Look 'ere, you don't seem to take it in. I'm goin' round to tea on Friday."
"I 'eard. What did I tell yer?" asked Bill cynically. "It's all a matter o' money. All you got to do now is pile on the swank for pa FitzP., an' you'll be 'is dearly beloved son-in-law before we know where we are. What oh!"
Bill closed his eyes and seemed to indulge in a beatific vision. Alf did not share his sublime confidence, but even he felt that the campaign had now made a really auspicious start.
* * * * * * *
When the car was out of sight of the Manor, Allen once more fell a victim of paroxysms of laughter.
"Go slow, for Heaven's sake," he gasped, "or I shall fall out."