CHAPTER V.WITH LORD CLAUD.
Cale shook his head; but Tom was resolute.

He had fallen under the spell of the so-called Lord Claud's personality--like many another before him--and whatever the upshot of the matter might be, he was going to accept the invitation accorded him, and visit that personage in his lodgings.
"Have a care, lad, have a care," advised the little perruquier.
"All is not gold that glitters; and many a fine lad has been led to his ruin ere now by following some headlong fancy of his own." "I will be careful," answered Tom, with the careless confidence of inexperience.

"Did I not come back last night with nothing spent save the price of the theatre and my coffee and supper?
You said yourself I had done well.

So give me now ten guineas, and I will be gone; for I was told to be early." Tom had no difficulty, once he had reached the Mall, in finding Lord Claud's rooms; for everybody knew where they were situated, and looked with some respect upon Tom for inquiring.

He was received at the door by a very fine lackey, and taken up a wide staircase, so richly carpeted that the footfall could not be heard upon it.