Had Trinkmann scrutinized Simon's face with any degree of care he might have observed a mischievous gleam in Simon's eyes; but at the mere mention of Maikafer's name Trinkmann exploded.
"What d'ye mean, did I seen it Maikafer?" he demanded.
"Why I just asked you," Simon said calmly, "on account he was to meet me at my office and he ain't showed up at all."
"Well, I ain't surprised to hear that, Mr. Feinsilver," Trinkmann rejoined less viciously. "Because even if Maikafer is such a good friend of yours, the feller is so busy with other people's business, what he ain't got no business to butt in at all, that his own business he lets go to the devil. Am I right or wrong?"
Simon nodded and sat down at one of Louis' tables.
"Albert," Trinkmann cried, "wait on Mr. Feinsilver."
"That's all right," Feinsilver declared; "I got plenty time."
"Albert," Trinkmann repeated, "take Mr. Feinsilver's order."
Albert left his station on the opposite side of the room and approached Feinsilver with a conciliatory smile.
"What would you like to-day, Mr. Feinsilver?" he said.