Dick's fingers trembled so that he dropped the pen, though he tried to conceal his feelings.
Dave Darrin's fists clenched tightly, though he had the good sense to realize that to start a fight in the parlor was out of the question.
Ripley's remark had been loud enough to attract the attention of nearly every person in the big room toward Dick and Dave.
CHAPTER XII
SUSIE DISCOMFITS A BOOR
Laura Bentley bit her lips. She flushed, then started to rise, but Susie Sharp gently pushed her back into her seat, then crossed to an electric button in the frame of a window.
A bell-boy promptly answered Susie's ring.
"Will you kindly ask the manager to come here at once?" asked
Susie.
As it happened, the manager was no further away than the corridor.
He came in quickly, bowing.
"Mr. Wright," asked Susie coldly, nodding toward Fred Ripley, who stood leaning over a chair, smiling insolently, "will you kindly have this objectionable person removed? He is annoying our guests."