“He talked loud and angry, sah.”
“Do you know what he was angry about?”
“You see, sah, we have orders to ask visitors to send deir names, or deir cards up, and to wait in de reception room till we find out if de parties are at home, or will see dem. Well, he comes in and says very loud, gettin’ into de elevator, ‘Take me up to de fifth floor,’ and I says, says I, ‘Do you mean Mrs. Atkins?’ and he says, ‘Yes, fellow, and be quick ’bout it.’ And den I asks him to wait, and send up his card, and he roars: ‘Min’ your own business, fellow; I’m ’spected.’ So I gwine take him up, and rings de bell, and he says: ‘Dat’s all.’ But I waited till de door opened, and there were Mrs. Atkins herself, and she didn’t say not’in’, and he jus’ went in.”
Joe paused for breath.
“Is Mrs. Atkins in the habit of answering the door-bell herself?”
“No, sah; I neber see her do so befo’.”
“Was Mr. Atkins in the house at the time?”
“No, sah; de gem’man was out of town.” Another sensation!
“When did he return?”
“Some time las’ night.”