“Three o’clock this afternoon,” specified the great man’s mouthpiece, and shut off.
Such was the Montrose Clark method with inferiors. Time and the wish were stated. The place was assumed. A newspaper man was a natural inferior according to the Montrose Clark measure. The weak point of the theory, in this instance, was that the other party to the transaction had not subscribed to it. He returned to his writing. At three-ten the hand-perfected private secretary was on the ’phone again.
“Mr. Garson speaking. Mr. Clark is waiting.”
“So am I.”
“I don’t understand.” The tone was incredulous. “Put Mr. Clark on the ‘phone,” suggested the editor. “He may be quicker of comprehension.”
The suggestion was not adopted. But in fifteen minutes the secretary, one button of his black cutaway flagrantly unbuttoned, was being admitted to the den by Buddy Higman.
“This is most extraordinary, Mr. Robson,” he protested.
“What’s extraordinary in it? Mr. Clark wants to see me on business, I assume?”
“He does.”
“This is my place of business.”