he white-haired old gentleman picked up the high silk hat that added a final touch of distinction to his tall figure, and looked about him as if trying to recall something. At last the idea came.
"By the way," he inquired suddenly, "didn't I have an extraordinarily obnoxious grandson with me when I came?"
The attentive auditor was vastly startled. He surveyed the great hall rapidly, but reflected before he answered.
"No, sir—I mean he ain't no more'n average! But I reckon we'd better find him, anyhow."
His glance had satisfied the sergeant that at least the object of his charge was safe and his men still vigilant. "I'll be back in a minute," he informed them. "Don't let nothin' happen."
"Bring us something more'n a breath," pleaded the corporal, disrespectfully.
The sergeant had already set off at a brisk pace with the story teller. For several minutes as they rushed from room to room the hunt was unrewarded.
"I think, sir," said the sergeant, "we'd better look in the natural history division. There is stuffed animals in there that the kids is fond of."
"You're probably right," the patriarch gasped as he struggled to maintain the gait set by the younger man. "I might have known he didn't really want to hear the story."
"They never do," answered the other over his shoulder. "I'll bet that's him down there on the next floor."