“A good digestion’s got something to do with it,” he said. “I’m a careful feeder.”
“Tell me,” said Dempsi confidentially, “have you served her long—my queen?”
Mr. Superbus called up to memory his acquaintance with contemporary history.
“I thought you had a king in Italy?” he said.
Dempsi laughed.
“No, no, you mistake me—my sweet lady—my Diana?” he asked softly. “I am jealous of your privilege in serving her.”
“Oh, you mean ma’am? No, I’ve only just got to know her.”
Dempsi changed the subject abruptly.
“I will go to bed. To-night there is no lock upon my door. If Double Dan comes, you will let me know?”
He need not ask that question. Given consciousness and the ability to scream, all the house would know from Julius that the monster had arrived.