The examiner produced blanks, and Mr. Cooley got busy getting pens and ink. While he was thus engaged Mrs. Parkes reëntered. An affirmative sign of the head assured Tod that the message was delivered.
"You'd better telephone up to Tocquencke that you're coming," said the examiner, as he made out the certificate.
"That's already arranged for," Mr. Cooley said, beaming with satisfaction. "She's to have the best suite of rooms, the best attendance, everything that the most lavish expenditure can purchase. Oh, she will be well taken care of. By the way, Dr. Zacharie, I'm going to recommend your nomination for Health Officer of this Port, and if the Big Chief Cooley recommends anything it's 'un fait accompli.' as the girls from Paris say; in other words, a sure thing."
"Thank you, counsellor," said Dr. Zacharie, bowing and handing him the certificate.
"Thank you. Now, madam," smirked Mr. Cooley, turning to Mrs. Parkes and scarcely able to contain his satisfaction, "will you please tell Miss Marsh that we're waiting for her?"
The landlady crossed the parlor and entered Paula's room, while the lawyer, with a chuckle, showed Jimmy the certificate.
"This simplifies matters, eh?" said Mr. Cooley, with a broad grin.
"It's taken a long time, Counsellor."
"Great bodies move slowly, James, but they move."
Suddenly Mrs. Parkes reappeared precipitately, her manner all flustered.