“Important? I should say so!” replied Jimmie. “I forgot to eat my dinner, and I haven’t had any supper yet!”
“How did you come to do it?” asked Mellen.
“I didn’t wake up!” was the reply. “And now,” the boy went on, “you see I’ve got to go and eat two meals all at once.”
“I’ll eat one of them for you,” suggested Sam.
“And I’ll eat the other!” volunteered Ben.
“Yes you will,” grinned Jimmie. “I don’t need any help when it comes to supplying the region under my belt with provisions.”
The boys hustled away to the dining-room, it being then about seven o’clock, while Mr. Havens and Mellen hastened back to the manager’s office.
Passing through the public lobby, the manager entered his private room and opened a sheaf of telegrams lying on the table.
One of the messages was for Mr. Havens. He read it carefully, twice over, and then turned a startled face toward the manager.