Going to the telephone, he picked up the receiver. In a tone of irritation, the lawyer said:
"Then all that talk about your baggage and room——"
"All hot air," nodded the other. "I had to say something—or I'd have broken down. What's the number of the hotel?"
"207 Tocquencke," replied the lawyer. Looking at the young man, he went on: "You're a peculiar fellow, Chase."
"Yes, I know," said the other indifferently. "Give me 207, and get Mrs. James Marsh on the 'phone. Hello—yes—will you please tell her to come over to 'Sea Rest' at once and ask for Mr. Chase? Yes, thank you."
Turning to the lawyer he went on:
"It unnerves me to see her in this place—locked in with a bunch of dips and nervous wrecks—compelled to come and go at their call. By God! it's awful, and to think I have to sit here powerless to move a finger on her behalf!" Scornfully he added: "You're a nice lawyer, or she wouldn't have stayed here twenty-four hours! Can't we dope out something—are we going to let them cook up all those schemes while we sit back and watch them?"
"I am doing everything I can," replied Mr. Ricaby calmly. "Our case comes up next week——"
"Next week!" cried Tod. "She'll be a nervous wreck by then! Can't you see how worried she is? We must get her out of this place at once—if we have to break out with a jimmy. Jimmy! I wish I had him here, I'd wring his neck!"
The lawyer looked at his companion in grave silence. Then he said quietly: