Part 2

Alan Trevor came back into studio and Hughie left. He went to see Laura and told her about beggar.
‘You gave all your money away?’ said Laura. ‘That was very foolish. My father will never let me marry foolish man. You are very foolish, but you are very kind and I love you very much.’
That night Hughie met Alan Trevor at club. Alan was looking very pleased.
‘I finished that picture,’ said Alan. ‘And my model was very interested in you. He asked me lots of questions.’
‘Poor old man,’ said Hughie. ‘I wish I could help him. What did he ask you about me?’
‘He wanted to know everything about you,’ said Alan.
‘And what did you tell him?’
‘I told him everything,’ said Alan. ‘I told him all about you. I told him about Laura. I told him about Laura’s father. I told him you want to marry Laura but have no money.’

‘Alan!’ said Hughie angrily. ‘You told him all about my private business?’
‘Don’t be angry,’ said Alan. ‘You don’t know who I was painting picture for. I was painting it for Baron von Hausberg. He is one of richest men in Europe. Baron von Hausberg was my model. Baron dressed up as old beggar.’
‘Baron von Hausberg!’ cried Hughie. ‘You mean that old beggar was Baron himself?’
‘Yes,’ said Alan.
‘But I gave him pound,’ said Hughie. ‘Now I feel foolish.’
‘You gave him pound?’ said Alan. ‘That’s funniest thing I’ve ever heard.’
Alan Trevor could not stop laughing. Hughie Erskine walked home. He felt foolish. He had given his last pound to millionaire. Laura’s father would hear about this. colonel would never let his daughter marry fool.

next day Hughie Erskine had visitor. Hughie did not know man.
‘How can I help you?’ asked Hughie.
‘I have come from Baron von Hausberg,’ said visitor.
‘Baron von Hausberg!’ said Hughie Erskine. ‘I did not recognise him when we met yesterday. I want to tell Baron that I am sorry. I think I was rude to him.’
visitor smiled. ‘You were not rude to Baron,’ he said. ‘ Baron asked me to give you this.’ He gave Hughie envelope. These words were written on envelope:
wedding present to Hugh Erskine and Laura Merton, from old beggar.
Inside was cheque for ten thousand pounds.