nd the next instant Mr Bunker was clasped in
his embrace.

"Ach, my own Bonker, forgif me! I haf suspected, I haf not been ze true
friend; you have sairved me right to gom here as ze Baron. I vas too bad a
Baron to gom! You have amused me, you have instrogted, you have varmed my
heart. My dear frient!"

To tell the truth, Mr Bunker looked, for the first time in their
acquaintance, a little ill at ease. He laughed, but it sounded affected.

"My dear fellow--hang it! You'd make me out a martyr. As a matter of fact,
I've been such a thorn as very few people would stand in their flesh.
There's nothing to forgive, my dear Baron, and a lot to thank you for."

"I haf been rude, Bonker; I haf insulted you! You forgif me?"

"With all my heart, if you think it's needed, but----"

"And you vill not go now? You vill stay here?"

"What, two Barons at once? My dear chap, we'd merely confuse the butler."

"Ach, you vill joke, you hombog! But you most stay!"

"And what about my friend, Dr Escott? No, Baron, it would only mean
breakfast and the next train to Clankwood."

"Zey vill not take you ven you tell zem! I shall insist viz Sir Richard!"

"The law is the law, Baron, and I'm a certified lunatic. Here we must part
till the weather clears; and mind, you mustn't say a word about my coming
to see you."

The Baron looked at him disconsolately.

"You most really go, Bonker?"

"Really, Baron."

"And vere to?"

"To London town again by the milk train."

"And vat vill you do zere?"

"Look for my name."

"Bot how?"

Mr Bunker hesitated.

"I have a little clue," he said at last, "only a thread, but I'll try it
for what it's worth."

"Haf you money enoff?"

"Thanks to your generosity and my skill at billiards, yes, which reminds
me that I must return poor Trelawney's ten pounds some day. At present, I
can't afford to be scrupulous. So, you see, I'm provided for."

"Cigars at least, Bonker! You most smoke, my frient vizout a name!"

The Baron, night-shirted and barefooted as he was, dived into his
portmanteau and produced a large box of cigars.

"You like zese, Bonker. Zey are your own choice. Smoke zem and zink of
me!"

"A few, Baron, would be a pleasant reminiscence," said his friend, with a
smile, "if you really insist."

"All, Bonker,--I vill not keep vun! I can get more. No, you most take zem
all!"

Mr Bunker opened his bag and put in the box without a word.

"You most write," said the Baron, "tell m