The Last of the Barons 101 



"Why, dad," he said, "I thought you were 

 the Old Man of the Mountain. Was it you that 

 called? Well, I'm blest, you'll catch your death 

 of cold ! " 



44 I've been calling ever so long," said his 

 father, out of breath. " I couldn't have found 

 you but for the Kites. Didn't you get my 

 telegram ? " 



11 Not I," answered Tom ; " we don't get 

 telegrams up to time in these parts. But here's 

 the rent all safe, dad." And he opened the 

 basket. 



The father looked with eager eyes at those 

 beautiful eggs, and handled one gently with the 

 deepest professional admiration. 



"Well," he said, quietly, "now you've been 

 down there once, you may as well go again. 

 You just go and put 'em straight back, my 

 lad." 



Tom stared at his father, and thought the old 

 man had gone clean daft. At that moment the 

 Kites returned, and came wheeling overhead 

 with loud melancholy cries. 



44 I've no time to explain, Tom ; it's getting 



