Hardly had the waiter reached them when Jim Duff and the proprietor of
the Mansion House came in. Jim, after saying a few words in a low tone,
halted, while the proprietor came forward.
"Good morning, Mr. Ashby," nodded Tom, when he saw the proprietor headed
their way. The latter looked rather embarrassed, but he moved a hand to
signal the waiter to withdraw.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Reade, but I can't have you any longer at this hotel,"
began Ashby.
"Any particular reason?" Tom inquired, looking the man straight in the
eye.
"Yes; some of my other guests object to your presence here."
"Meaning Jim Duff?" questioned Reade coolly.
"I don't care to discuss the matter with you, Mr. Reade, but I can't
entertain you here any longer."
"Does that apply even to this meal, Mr. Ashby?"
"It does."
"Very good," nodded Tom, rising. Harry and Hawkins shoved their chairs
back, too, and stood up.
"Say, but I don't like the looks of that!" announced a voice from
another table. There were five men seated there, all of them well-
dressed and prosperous-looking traveling salesmen, who had arrived that
morning.
Pages:
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79