Trenmore made a violent forward movement, and Drayton, after one glance at the giant's darkening countenance, hastily pushed the manager into the hall, assured him that their request was withdrawn and closed the door.
Not five minutes later, Cleverest was again announced. He followed the phone call so closely that Drayton had hardly hung up the receiver before he was at the door. He entered with a frown and a very pale face.
"See here," he began without greeting or preamble, "are you people trying to commit suicide? How can you expect protection if you persist in running foul of every law in the city?"
"Why the excitement?" queried Drayton coolly.
"The excitement, as you call it, is of your making. How dare you attempt to pry among the secret affairs of Penn Service?"
Drayton shook his head. "Can't imagine what you mean. We've not been out of this suite since the Loveliest brought us back to the hotel."
"That may be. But you were trying to bribe the manager to supply you with a copy of the Penn Bulletin!"
Enlightenment dawned in the minds of his three hearers.
"And is that all?" asked Trenmore scornfully. "As for bribe, we never offered the lad a cent. Did he claim we tried to bribe him?"
"He hinted at it. He met me at the door, and by Jove, it was a good thing he did! He was on his way to report you at the Temple!"