lfootman--only, as it happened, the butler was Whittington!
Tommy retired to the inn and waited for Albert’s return. At last thatworthy made his appearance.
“Well?” cried Tommy eagerly.
“It’s all right. While they was a-running of you out the window opened,and something was chucked out.” He handed a scrap of paper to Tommy. “Itwas wrapped round a letterweight.”
On the paper were scrawled three words: “To-morrow--same time.”
“Good egg!” cried Tommy. “We’re getting going.”
“I wrote a message on a piece of paper, wrapped it round a stone, andchucked it through the window,” continued Albert breathlessly.
Tommy groaned.
“Your zeal will be the undoing of us, Albert. What did you say?”
“Said we was a-staying at the inn. If she could get away, to come thereand croak like a frog.”
“She’ll know that’s you,” said Tommy with a sigh of relief. “Yourimagination runs away with you, you know, Albert. Why, you wouldn’trecognize a frog croaking if you heard it.”
Albert looked rather crest-fallen.
“Cheer up,” said Tommy. “No harm done. That butler’s an old friend ofmine--I bet he knew who I was, though he didn’t let on. It’s not theirgame to show suspicion. That’s why we’ve found it fairly plain sailing.They don’t want to discourage me altogether. On the other hand, theydon’t want to make it too easy. I’m a pawn in their game, Albert, that’swhat I am. You see, if the spider lets the fly walk out too easily,the fly might suspect it was a put-up job. Hence the usefulness of thatpromising youth, Mr. T. Beresford, who’s blundered in just at the rightmoment for them. But later, Mr. T. Beresford had better look out!”
Tommy retired for the night in a state of some elation. He hadelaborated a careful plan for the following evening. He felt sure thatthe inhabitants of Astley Priors would not interfere with him up toa certain point. It was after that that Tommy proposed to give them asurprise.
About twelve o’clock, however, his calm was rudely shaken. He was toldthat some one was demanding him in the bar. The applicant proved to be arude-looking carter well coated with mud.
“Well, my good fellow, what is it?” asked Tommy.
“Might this be for you, sir?” The carter held out a very dirty foldednote, on the outside of which was written: “Take this to the gentlemanat the inn near Astley Priors. He will give you ten shillings.”
The handwriting was Tuppence’s. Tommy appreciated her quick-wittednessin realizing that he might be staying at the inn under an assumed name.He snatched at it.
“That’s all right.”
The man withheld it.
“What about my ten shillings?”
Tommy hastily produced a ten-shilling note, and the man relinquished hisfind. Tommy unfastened it.
“DEAR TOMMY,
“I knew it was you last night. Don’t go this evening. They’ll be lyingin wait for you. They’re taking us away this morning. I heard somethingabout Wales--Holyhead, I think. I’ll drop this on the road if I get achance. Annette told me how you’d escaped. Buck up.
“Yours,
“TWOPENCE.”
Tommy raised a shout for Albert before he had even finished perusingthis characteristic epistle.
“Pack my bag! We’re off!”
“Yes, sir.” The boots of Albert could be heard racing upstairs.Holyhead? Did that mean that, after all---- Tommy was puzzled. He readon slowly.
The boots of Albert continued to be active on the floor above.
Suddenly a second shout came from below.
“Albert! I’m a damned fool! Unpack that bag!”
“Yes, sir.”
Tommy smoothed out the note thoughtfully.
“Yes, a damned fool,” he said softly. “But so’s some one else! And atlast I know who it is!”