But as for the taxi,
I came in one and took the liberty to keep it waiting--at this hour."
"Very thoughtful of you," said I, with a look at my watch. The time
was 12.50.
"Not at all, sir. Mr. Collingwood turned out the loose change in his
pocket and told me not to spare expense. Here it is, sir--one pound,
seventeen--and I'd be glad if you took it and paid the whole fare at
the end of the run."
"Good," said I, amused. "Jimmy is obviously sober. I never knew him
drunk--really drunk--for that matter." I had my legs out of bed by
this time, and the constable was bashfully withdrawing, Smithers
having turned on the lights in the outer room. "Stop a moment," I
commanded. "You may not believe it, but I'm a child at this game.
How much money shall I have to take? . . . I don't know that I have
more than a tenner loose about me--unless I can raise something off
Smithers."
The constable relaxed his face into a smile, or something approaching
one. "There is no money needed--not at this hour of the night.
Your recognisances, Sir Roderick--for a fiver or so, if you ask me.
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