"Louis," he declared, "you are a fool! You are a blithering idiot! You are a jackass! It never occurred to me before. I am the guilty one for placing such a temptation in your way. Now where's this Monsieur Giatron of yours?"
Louis looked at him wonderingly. There was a dawn of hope in his face, blended with a startled fear.
"He arrives in ten minutes," he announced. "He comes down for the supper.
He is here."
Mr. Bundercombe glanced round. A stout man, with a black mustache, had entered the room. His eyes fell at once on the little group. Mr. Bundercombe turned round.
"So that is Monsieur Giatron?"
Louis bowed. Mr. Bundercombe beckoned the proprietor to approach.
"An old patron of Luigi's," Mr. Bundercombe explained, introducing himself—"come round to see our friend Louis, here."
"Delighted, I am very sure!" Mr. Giatron exclaimed, bowing to all of us.
"It will be a great pleasure to us to do the very best possible for any of
Louis' friends."
Mr. Bundercombe rose to his feet. He pointed to the little glass-framed office at the other side of the room.
"Mr. Giatron," he said, "I have always been a great patron of Louis. You and I must have a chat. Will you not invite us into your little office and show us whether there is not something better to be found than this coffee? We will take a glass of brandy together and drink success to your restaurant."