And now he's gone, and the least I can do is to attend
his funeral. That reminds me, Gammon, I fear I shall have to borrow
a sovereign, if it's quite convenient to you. There's the hire of
the black suit, you see, and the fare to Hitchin. Do you think you
could?"
He paused delicately, whereupon Gammon burst into a roar of laughter
which echoed through the still house.
"You're the queerest devil I know," was the remark that followed.
"It's no use trying to make out what you're really up to."
"I have stated the case in very clear terms," replied Greenacre
solemnly. "The chief thing is to find a substitute to drive the
'Saponaria' van."
"What sort of animal in the shafts?"
"Two--a pail of Welsh cobs--good little goers."
"By jingo!" shouted Gammon, "I'll tool 'em round myself. I'm off for
to-morrow, and a job of that kind would just suit me."
Greenacre's face brightened with relief. He began to describe the
route which the "Saponaria" van had to pursue.
"It's the south-east suburbs to-morrow, the main thoroughfares of
Greenwich, Blackheath, Lewisham, and all round there.
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