A wait in the hall. The servant returned. "Sorry, but he's not in."
Hugo's mouth was firm. "Please tell him that I saw him come in."
"I'm sorry, sir, but he is going right out."
"Tell him—that he will see me."
The servant raised his voice. "Harry!" A heavy person with a flattened nose and cauliflower ears stepped into the hall. "This gentleman wishes to see Mr. Melcher, and Mr. Melcher is not in—to him. Take care of him, Harry." The servant withdrew.
"Run along, fellow."
Hugo smiled. "Mr. Melcher keeps a bouncer?"
An evil light flickered in the other's eyes. "Yeah, fellow. And I came up from the Pennsy mines. I'm a tough guy, so beat it."
"Not so tough your ears and nose aren't a sight," Hugo said lightly.
The man advanced. His voice was throaty. "Git!"