Part 57 (2/2)

”Now, if we had some coffee,” said Frank ”we--”

He had no time to complete the sentence, for just as he was talking, the landlord re-entered the room smiling.

He bore, on a level with his forehead, a tray with a pot of the most fragrant coffee, flanked by cups.

Besides this, there was a huge basin of goat's milk.

”For your beautiful dog, sir officer.”

Duncan thanked him most heartily, and Viking seemed most grateful also.

”I sincerely love all de animiles in de world,” said the Frenchman.

”One gentleman stay here now. Hab been stay many mont's, with one leetle blackamoor servant. He possess one very curious bird. Ha, ha!

'Scuse me laugh. But ven I play on my little flute, den the bird and de boy dance. It is all so funny!”

The boys exchanged glances.

”Can it be possible?” said Duncan.

”I declare,” cried Frank, ”I feel fidgety all over.”

”And I,” said Conal, ”am cramful of nerves.”

”Landlord, can you introduce us to the bird and the boy?”

”Sartainly, gentlemans. Follow, if you will be so kind.”

He led them down and down a flight of stone stairs that seemed to have no end.

Then the young fellows followed him into a large room.

”Gol-a-mussy, gemmans, has you risen again flom de grabe?”

It was little Johnnie s.h.i.+ngles, and none but he.

”Grunt, grunt! squeak, squawk, and squawl!” Up rushed Pen himself.

Yes, the very identical bird!

”Wowff!” cried Vike, entering fully into the excitement.

”Wowff, wowff, wonders will never cease.”

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