'That's true, so I would. Well, I'm damned if I know what to do; you'll have to come with me even if he does kick up a row. It'll be deuced unpleasant, and before the whole company too. Don't you think that you could wait a moment in the cab while I have a look round--I won't go far.' 'Oh, I'd be too afraid! Couldn't you ask someone to go for you?' 'I'll see who's there,' said Dick, twisting his neck to look round the corner. 'By Jove! they're all there--Beaumont, Dolly Goddard. I think I'll ask Montgomery; he's a devilish good chap. We had better stop the cab here and I'll call to him.' Kate consented, and a moment after the musician's immense nose and scarecrow face was poked in the window. 'Hey, old pal, what is it? Waiting--but--I beg----' 'Never mind that,' said Dick, laying his hand on the young fellow's arm; 'I want you to do me a favour. Run down on the platform and see if there's a little scraggy man about the height of Dubois hanging about anywhere. You can't mistake him; he has a dirty dark beard that grows on his face like a bunch of grass, and he's no chest, little thin shoulders, and he'd have on----' 'A pair of grey trousers, and a red woollen comforter round his neck,' whispered Kate, feeling bitterly ashamed. 'All right,' said Montgomery, 'I'll spot him if he's there. But you know the train goes in ten minutes or less, and Hayes says that he can't take the tickets; you've all the coin.' 'So I have; I forgot to send it round to him last night. Ask him to step up here, there's a good fellow.' 'Now, I bet you Hayes won't be able to get the tickets right. He's perfectly useless, always boozed--nipping, you know.' Kate did not answer, and an uneasy silence ensued, which was broken at length by the appearance of a hiccuping, long-whiskered man. 'How are you, o-o-old man? Eh! who is--? I don't think I have the pleasure of this lady's acquaintance.' 'Mrs. Ede--Mr. Hayes, our acting manager. Now, look here, Hayes, you go and get the tickets. I can't leave this lady. Thirty-five will do.' 'How thirty-five? We travel forty-one.' 'You know well enough that thirty-five is what we always get. Damn it, man, make haste!' 'Don't damn me. New member of the com-company, eh?' 'I'll tell you all about that after, old man,' said Dick, leaning forward and pretending to whisper confidentially. This satisfied the tippler, who, after pulling his silky whiskers and serving Kate to another drunken stare, hurried off, black bag in hand. 'Confounded nuisance to have to deal with a fellow like that; he thinks he's a dab at business, and goes about with the black bag for show.' Two minutes passed, maybe three; it seemed to her an eternity, and then she heard Montgomery's voice crying: 'It's all right, I'm sure.' 'Then get out, dear,' said Dick, 'we haven't a moment to lose.' She jumped out, but hadn't walked a dozen yards before she stopped panic-stricken. 'Mrs. Ede--my mother-in-law--perhaps she's there! Oh, Dick, what shall I do?'