"Were your elevator boys in on the secret?" he asked Doris.
"No, of course not."
"Now, what I meant to do was this—" Rodney spoke briskly. He was recovering poise with extraordinary rapidity. His color was returning, his brown eyes were again full of life. And, as always when his thoughts were on his work, he was utterly oblivious to any other interest. "The second act was to be—"
He stopped and stared. Epstein had risen, had ponderously approached him, and had resolutely grasped him by one ear.
"Rodney," said the manager, with ostentatious subtlety, "you don't know it, but you got a date up-town in five minutes."
His voice and manner enlightened the obtuse Mr. Bangs.
"Oh, er—yes," stammered that youth, confusedly, and reluctantly got to his feet.
"Wait a minute," said Laurie. "Before you fellows go, there's one more little matter we've got to straighten out." They turned to him, and at the expression of utter devotion on the two faces the sternness left young Devon's eyes. "I was pretty mad about this business for a few minutes after Shaw explained it," he went on. "You folks didn't have much mercy, you know. You fooled me to the top of my bent. But now I feel that we've at least broken even."
"Even! Mein Gott!" repeated Epstein with a groan. "You've taken ten years—"
"You've got back ten already," the young man blithely reminded him. "That's fine! As I say, we're even. But from this time on, one thing must be definitely understood: Henceforth I'm not in leading-strings of any kind, however kindly they are put on me. If this association is to continue, there must be no more practical jokes, no more supervision, no more interference with me or my affairs. Is that agreed?"