They rose from the table. Out in the corridor while Jack and Bobo were obtaining their hats and coats, there was a brief moment during which they were out of hearing of Miriam.
"Bobo," said Jack firmly, "if you don't come home with me, I swear I'll tell her the truth and leave you to your fate!"
Bobo was like a poor little grain of wheat between two hard mill-stones. He shivered. "How can I get away from her?" he whined. Obviously he was more afraid of Miriam than of Jack.
"Leave that to me," said Jack.
Miriam was watching them suspiciously. They rejoined her. At the elevator she said offhand to Bobo:
"You may come up. I have a sitting-room."
Miriam entered the elevator in advance, of course. Jack took a firm grip of Bobo's arm.
"Well, good-by," said Jack pleasantly. He squeezed Bobo's arm suggestively.
"G-good-by," stammered Bobo. "I have to go with Jack."
Whereupon Jack turned him about smartly, and marched him out towards the main entrance. Miriam gasped. She could not very well run after them, and grab Bobo's other arm. Indeed, while she stared speechless, the elevator door was closed, and she was whirled aloft. If looks could kill Jack had fallen dead in his tracks!