“Cut it out! I don’t mean that way! I asked the dago here so he wouldn’t be in his room.”
“Naturally if he’s here he can’t be in his room,” bantered Ned. “Two objects can’t occupy the same place at the same time. Neither can even an Italian organ grinder be in two places at once. Q.E.D. you know, Bob!”
“Oh, will you be serious!”
“Is this serious?” asked Ned.
“It may be—yes. Listen! I’m going out—I’m going to take a run down to the Railroad House and make a search through the room of this fellow. That’s why I got him here—so as to give me a clear coast. I can run down in my flivver and be back inside of half an hour. Can you keep things moving that long—until I come back?”
“I’ll try, even if I have to stand on my head to amuse ’em!”
“Good boy! But don’t do anything rash. Don’t raise a rumpus, and if any one asks for me cover my absence. Above all don’t let the dago know I’ve gone to his dump.”
“Trust your old college chum for that, Bob. I’m Little Old On The Job for yours truly. Shoot! When you going?”
“Right away. It will soon be time to serve the ice cream and cake, and they can think I’m looking after that. Mum’s the word now!”
“Mum is right!” echoed Ned with a wink.