“Yes. Take my place—act as a sort of deputy host”
“What’s the idea?”
“I’m going away for a while.”
“You aren’t sick, are you?”
“Far from it. But I want to do something. I may as well tell you what it is, and then, if anything happens, you’ll know where I am.”
“Say, this seems like it was getting serious!” murmured Ned, looking closely at his chum. “You haven’t caught that Rod chap, have you?”
“Well, no, not exactly, but I may get on his track, if I have luck. Listen, Ned. I had that Italian come here to-night for a special purpose.”
“And a good purpose it was, I’ll say if you ask me. He’s the hit of the evening, outside of myself!” And Ned puffed out his chest.
“Stow that talk!” chuckled Bob. “But I mean I got the Italian here so he would be out of his room at the Railroad House.”
“Ah, noble youth! Providing entertainment—to say nothing of food—for the poor and downtrodden! Atta boy, Bob!”