"That's all right, keep the change," he remarked.
"My, you must have it to throw away!" said Hudson. "Twenty-three for you, Fritz. Shut the slide."
Ralston took a deep draught of the beer. He could not help smiling as he thought of the picture he would present could any one of his associates see him at the moment. What, for instance, would the President have said? And the Secretary of War! Underneath the stage of a theater, drinking beer with a chorus girl! He put down the glass and pulled himself together.
"Now to business!" he exclaimed. "This is jolly good fun, but I've a long night in front of me, and I've got work to do in it. Where is Steadman?"
The partridge looked at him inquiringly.
"You don't mean you really are trying to find anyone?"
"Certainly I do."
"Steadman?"
"Yes."
She shrugged her shoulders. It was clear, even to Ralston, that she was disappointed.