Sir Frederick stood in the hall, puzzling himself with this document, when the street bell rang and a servant opened the door to two tall stout persons, who inquired for Sir Frederick Foggerty.
“I am he,” said Freddy.
“Sorry to trouble you at this time of night, sir,” said one of the men, “but business is business, as you very well knows.”
“My maxim through life,” said Sir Frederick.
“I suppose you can guess our errand?”
“I conclude it has something to do with this,” said Sir Frederick at a guess, handing them the mystic telegram.
“Exactly. So the Gone Coon is in it?”
“The Gone Coon is in it. Indeed, he has been in it some time.”
“Much obliged for the information. It seems from this telegram that we were just in time.”
“Just in time.”
“I suppose in another ten minutes you'd have been off?”
“Five. Five minutes. But I'm very glad you managed to catch me at home.”
“So are we, Sir Frederick,”said the man with a chuckle. “I suppose you'll come quietly?”
“As a mouse. Shall I go with you, or follow you in an hour's time?”
“Well, I think it would be more satisfactory if you were to go with us,” said the man, grinning to his companion. “Well, you are a game one, I will say that. 'Taint every man in your position as could cut jokes on the brink of penal servitude.”
