“Then I’ll shoot him! I’ll––! But we’ve got the goods on him! Carmen and I saw him bribe Wales! We’ll expose him!”
Hitt laughed. “Forget all that,” he said, laying a hand on the excited man’s arm. “Remember, that Wales would never dare breathe a word of it; Carmen has no reputation or standing whatsoever now in this city; and Ames would make out a case of blackmail against you so quickly that it would sweep you right into the Tombs. Go easy. And first, let us get the girl herself down here.”
He took the telephone and called up several of the University departments, after first ascertaining that she was not at her home. Then, having located her, he plunged into a study of the situation with the distracted publisher.
“That’s the way of it!” cried Haynerd at length. “Here I waste my evenings in learned philosophical discussions with you people, and meantime, while we’re figuring out that there is no evil, that monster, Ames, stretches out a tentacle and strangles me! Fine practical discussions we’ve been having, ain’t they? I tell you, I’m through with ’em!” He brought his fist down upon the desk with a crash.
“Ned,” said Hitt, “you’re a fool.”
“Sure I am!” shouted Haynerd. “Do I deny it? Here I had a nice, clean business, no work, good pay––and, just because I associated with you and that girl, the whole damn thing goes up the flue! Pays to be good, doesn’t it? Nix!”
“H’m; well, Ned, you’re not only a fool, but a blooming idiot,” replied Hitt calmly.
“Lay it on! Lay it on thick!” roared Haynerd. “And if you run out of epithets, I’ll supply a few! I’m a––”
The door swung open, and Carmen entered, fresh as the sea breeze, and panting with her haste. “Do you know,” she began eagerly, “two men followed me all the way down from 74 the University! They watched me come in here, and––but, what is wrong with you two?” She stopped and looked inquiringly from one to the other.
“Well,” began Hitt hesitatingly, “we were reflecting––”