“Now, now, Paul! You are a hot-headed young fellow and I feel sure matters can be explained quickly, if you will but wait!”
Paul scowled and stiffened his spine as he replied: “Mr. Dalken, I heard with my own ears, that Nolla is infatuated with another young man. She said, and I heard her say it: ‘She was not certain which one of us she preferred but the test would show if she used a good dose of anti-toxin to help the germ! But I’m no ‘second fiddle’ even if that other fellow is! If a girl can’t tell whether she loves me without using hypodermics to help her find out, then she’s no wife for me! Maybe I’m a wild and woolly westerner from Denver, but believe me! we westerners never stand around waiting for a bit to be forced between our teeth.”
Mr. Dalken could hardly restrain his sudden desire to laugh, but he averted his head for a moment and covered his face with a handkerchief until he composed his risibles, then he said: “Still, I am sure I can mediate in this case, Paul. Only stay and let me inquire.”
“I guess not! No one can mediate between me and a flirt! I am through, I say, and I’m going home!”
So saying Paul thrust out his hand and Mr. Dalken had to take it. “Good-by, and say good-by to the others for me. This much I want you to do, as I will not see them again!”
Mr. Dalken went to the door with his excited guest and saw him go down on the elevator, then he rushed madly back to the telephone and ordered the man to detain the departing guest. Back to the den where he had seen Eleanor standing with Jack, was his next act, and dragging both out of the apartment and along the hall to the elevator, he pushed the button furiously.
While the wondering attendant was coming up, Mr. Dalken said: “What in the name of conscience did you two crazy creatures do or say to Paul Stewart, to drive him frantic?”
Jack stared in ignorance of what his guardian meant, but Eleanor gazed as if she thought Mr. Dalken had suddenly gone mad. The elevator stopped at their floor, and the man opened the gate. Mr. Dalken pulled his two companions on, and the man started down again.
All this time, Eleanor was speechless with doubt of Mr. Dalken’s sanity but the elevator man turned to him and said: “The young man I just took down, refused to remain. He said he would arrest anyone who tried to detain him against his will.”
Mr. Dalken ran his hands through his hair and rolled his eyes upward. Turning to Eleanor he hissed: “What did you say to Paul to make him act like a man in torment?”