"
"I'll ask mother----" began William.
"Oh, no," said Mr. Blank modestly. "I don't want ter give no one no
trouble. Just a slice o' bread, if you can find it, without troublin'
no one. See?"
William had a brilliant idea.
"Let's go 'cross to that window an' get in," he said eagerly. "That's
the lib'ry and no one uses it 'cept father, and he's not in till
later."
Mr. Blank insisted on tying Jumble up, then he swung himself
dexterously through the window. William gave a gasp of admiration.
"You did that fine," he said.
Again Mr. Blank closed one eye.
"Not the first time I've got in at a winder, young gent, nor the
larst, I bet. Not by a long way. See?"
William followed more slowly. His eye gleamed with pride. This hero of
romance and adventure was now his guest, under his roof.
"Make yourself quite at home, Mr. Blank," he said with an air of
intense politeness.
Mr. Blank did. He emptied Mr. Brown's cigar-box into his pocket. He
drank three glasses of Mr. Brown's whiskey and soda. While William's
back was turned he filled his pockets with the silver ornaments from
the mantel-piece. He began to inspect the drawers in Mr. Brown's desk.
Then:
[Illustration: MR. BLANK MADE HIMSELF QUITE AT HOME]
"William! Come to tea!"
"You stay here," whispered William. "I'll bring you some."
But luck was against him. It was a visitors' tea in the drawing-room,
and Mrs. de Vere Carter, a neighbour, there, in all her glory.
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