“I shall see that you don’t!” snarled the young man behind the counter.
“It’s a serious matter!” almost shouted the man in front of the desk.
“Write out a message, explaining your errand,” commanded the clerk, “and I’ll have a boy take it to his room!”
The panting man reached calmly and deliberately over the counter, seized the obstreperous clerk by the collar of his coat, and dragged him over the obstruction. There he gave him such a shaking as a dog might have given a rat, pitched him headlong to the floor, and gaily mounted the stairs, taking three at a jump.
When he reached the top step the hall was ringing with his great bass voice, and a little crowd was gathering below.
“Havens! Havens! Havens!” called the man who had assaulted the clerk.
It was not necessary for him to call many times, for the door of the millionaire’s room opened almost instantly and his tired face looked out on the man who was creating the disturbance.
“I thought I’d never get to you, Mr. Havens!” declared the intruder.
“You must have important information!” smiled the millionaire.
“I think,” the other went on, “that before we stop to discuss possibilities, you’d better get your clothing on and make a break for the field where you left the airship!”