Roberts looked at him stiffly. The color surged into his cheeks.
“Is that all? I’m accustomed to accepting, not giving information. Unless you give me the particulars I need, it will be impossible to coöperate with you. Is this boy wanted for any misdemeanor?”
Rio’s face turned a heavy red.
“This boy ain’t wanted for ‘any misdemeanor.’ This boy’s a friend of mine. He’s on the beach. I want to see him.”
Roberts dropped the card on his desk. He showed the stamp of discipline.
“Have you ever been thrown out of anywhere?”
“Not by ten like you.”
“Fortunately there are gentlemen here vested with that privilege.” The adviser nodded across the room at several policemen.
Rio laughed.