He grins and stows it away the kale. "Aw, you mean the party with the wild eyes, eh?" he asks.
"Uh-huh!" says I. "I was just curious to know where you picked her up."
"That's easy," says he. "She came out of there, third door above. I get most of my fares from there."
"Oh," says I, steppin' out for a squint. "Looks like a private house."
"It's private, all right," says he, "but it's a home for dippy ones. You know," and he taps his head. "She's a sample. I've had her before. They slip out now and then. Last night she made her getaway through the basement door. I expect she's back by now."
"Yes," says I, "I expect she is."
And I don't need to ask any more. The mystery of the lovely Louise has been cleared up complete.
First off I was going to tell Ernie all about it, but when I saw him sitting there at his high desk, gazin' sort of blank at nothing at all and kind of smilin' reminiscent, I didn't have the heart. Instead, I asks confidential, as usual:
"Any word yet from Louise?"
"Not yet," says Ernie, "but then——"