Page:A Gentleman's Gentleman.djvu/141



I'd be up at the police-station before the clock struck again."

"Do you believe they would find him?"

"They might, or they might not; but it would be cover for you."

"I'll do that," said he shortly. "Is there any thing else?"

"One thing," said I. "This young fellow has a father in America. If three days pass and we hear nothing of him, send a cable out to Boston, and advise that a reward be offered—a big one, say ten thousand dollars. Meanwhile, offer a reward of two thousand francs yourself."

"But I'd have to pay. What's the sense in that?"

"Sir," I said, "if Mr. Grey of Boston will offer a reward of ten thousand dollars for the recovery of his son, there is one man who will find him."

"And who is that, pray?"

"Myself."

He looked at me with blank amazement. Then he said quite simply;

"Ye're a clever man. I'd be sorry for the day when we parted."

"But we must part, sir," said I.

"’Tis no time for nonsense, sure," said he.

"And it's no nonsense I mean, sir. If I'm to find this man and to claim this reward, the work must be done away from here."

"Where would it be done, then?"