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now and then he was aghast at his own presumption. How dared he think that he
had discovered what so many wiser and clever men had overlooked?
Nevertheless, he stuck tenaciously to his idea.
That evening he and Albert once more penetrated the grounds of Astley Priors.
Tommy's ambition was somehow or other to gain admission to the house itself. As
they approached cautiously, Tommy gave a sudden gasp.
On the second floor window some one standing between the window and the light
in the room threw a silhouette on the blind. It was one Tommy would have
recognized anywhere! Tuppence was in that house!
He clutched Albert by the shoulder.
"Stay here! When I begin to sing, watch that window."
He retreated hastily to a position on the main drive, and began in a deep roar,
coupled with an unsteady gait, the following ditty:
I am a Soldier
by my feet...
A jolly British Soldier; You can see that I'm a Soldier
It had been a favourite on the gramophone in Tuppence's hospital days. He did
not doubt but that she would recognize it and draw her own conclusions. Tommy
had not a note of music in his voice, but his lungs were excellent. The noise he
produced was terrific.
Presently an unimpeachable butler, accompanied by an equally unimpeachable
footman, issued from the front door. The butler remonstrated with him. Tommy
continued to sing, addressing the butler affectionately as "dear old whiskers." The
footman took him by one arm, the butler by the other. They ran him down the
drive, and neatly out of the gate. The butler threatened him with the police if he
intruded again. It was beautifully done--soberly and with perfect decorum.
Anyone would have sworn that the butler was a real butler, the footman a real
footman--only, as it happened, the butler was Whittington!
Tommy retired to the inn and waited for Albert's return. At last that worthy made
his appearance.
"
Well?" cried Tommy eagerly.
"It's all right. While they was a-running of you out the window opened, and
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