"The man who sent that package to the Bienvenu Hotel is trying to
blackmail Mr. Norman," said Jack. "We've got to catch him with the
goods."
Tommy nodded sagely.
"See if you can't remember what he looked like. Was he a middle-aged
man short and thickset, well-dressed, but not sporty, heavy white
moustache, and little chin whisker?"
"Sure!" cried Tommy. "That's the very guy! I remember now."
"Well, give me some further particulars then," said Jack to test him.
Tommy considered. "His hair was brushed in a funny way, sticking out
like, in front of his ears."
"That's our man!" said Jack. "Has he ever been in your office before?"
"Yes, once in a while. He's a guy you'd remember. Gives big tips."
"When you couldn't deliver that package at the Bienvenu what did you do
with it?"
"Handed it in at the office again."
"Then what happened to it?"
"It's there yet. They couldn't return it to sender because he didn't
leave no address."
"You're sure he hasn't been after it himself?"
"Not up to the time I left. Us boys watches for that guy."
"Thought you said you couldn't remember him."
"Well, I didn't know which side was on the square then," said Tommy
unabashed.
"Good! I'm sure he will come after it, and I want you to go back to
the office and watch for him. When he does come in, see if you're
clever enough to trail him back to his home or his office, or wherever
it is he goes, see?"
"How can I sneak out without orders from the desk?" objected Tommy.
"And supposin' I'm out on another call when he comes in?"
"You can leave that to me," said Jack. "From now on you're working for
me, and you won't take any other calls, see? I'll have an order sent
through from the head office to your branch. But mind you, not a word
to any of the other kids!"
"That's all right, boss," said the diminutive sleuth with dignity. "I
know a thing or two about this biz. I can easy stall off those pore
fish down there."
"Here's something on account," said Jack offering him a dollar bill.
"As to your final payment I'll just say this: if you and I pull this
off together, I'll offer you a permanent job with Mr. Norman."
"Me workin' for Norman himself! Gee!" said Tommy.
30
A few hours later the bridal couple turned up at the Madagascar.
Miriam was beautiful and beautifully dressed, but feeling sure of her
position now, she made no attempt to curb her arrogance. She believed
that she owned the Madagascar and acted accordingly. The hotel
servants cringed--and detested her. Bobo was correspondingly depressed
and anxious-looking.
Their unannounced arrival hardly surprised Jack. He was in expectation
of a call for funds.
Miriam immediately demanded to be shown through the suite. "So that I
can choose which rooms I will take."
Jack, amused by the comedy, accompanied her and Bobo on the tour of
inspection. Jack's room, the next room but one to the Dutch room,
seemed to please her most. Perhaps it was because she knew it was
Jack's room.
"I'll take this for my bedroom," she said, "but the furniture is
ghastly. It will have to be completely done over. Bobo's room shall
be my boudoir."
Bobo glanced anxiously at Jack. "You can have my room of course," he
said quickly. "But this is Jack's room."
It seemed as if she had just been lying in wait for him to say
something like this. She whirled on him. "Well, and am I supposed to
give way to your secretary? If you're willing to give up the best
rooms to the servants I'm not!"
"Miriam is right," said Jack. "I'll move into the two little rooms at
the back; Silas Gyde's old suite."
"Hereafter please address me as Mrs. Norman," said Miriam haughtily.
"Certainly, Mrs. Norman," said Jack demurely. To himself he added:
"Oh, lady, lady, it's a shame to let you in so bad! When the truth
come out the shock will surely kill you!"
"And while we are away," added Miriam, "go to a first class decorator,
and arrange to have my two rooms done. I will have the boudoir hung in
pale yellow silk brocade, and the bedroom in a softer material, pink.
Samples can be sent me."
Jack bowed. "You're going away again?" he asked politely.
"Oh, yes, Bobo just came in to get some money."
Bobo bent an imploring glance on him.
Jack had his things carried into the back rooms, and put all in order
there.
"Thank God! I can escape the sound of her voice!" he said to himself.
"Where, oh where is that sweet murmur with which she used to woo us!
Bobo's awakening has come even sooner than I expected. She might have
given him a few days' run for his money. What a story this will make
to tell Kate later. But the poor fat kid is in such a deuce of a hole
it really spoils the comedy!"
Presently Bobo applied at the door of Jack's sitting-room with a
pitiful hang-dog air.
"Come in!" said Jack cheerfully.
Bobo shambled in, and flung himself in a chair. "Don't bawl me out!"
he said beseechingly. "I'm just about all in!"
"I'm not going to say much," returned Jack. "But I'm only human. You
can't expect me to keep my mouth shut altogether."
"I wish I were dead!" said Bobo.
"Cheer up, the worst is yet to come! There's good comedy in it, I
assure you. I'll give you a piece of good advice if you like."
"What is it?"
"Well, when a wife takes that highty-tighty tone towards her husband
they say there's only one remedy."
"What's that?"
"Corporal punishment," said Jack, grinning.
"Eh?" said Bobo, staring.
"I believe the English law allows a man a rod no thicker than his thumb
for the purpose of maintaining domestic discipline."
Bobo refused to see the joke. He sat in silence with his chin on his
breast.
"I suppose you're waiting for money," said Jack.
Bobo nodded.
"I don't want to rub it in, but I'm curious to know if you appreciate
the colossal cheek of your coming to me for money after what has
happened?"