Part 29 (1/2)
”I know,” said P Sybarite, with a quiet chuckle: ”the Hadley-Owen masquerade”
”How did you know?”
”_Kismet!_ It had to be”
”Are you by any chance--mad?”
”I shouldn't be surprised Anyhow, I'm a bit mad I wasn't invited
Everybody I know or meet--almost--is either bidden to that party or knows soive the interruption Anyway,” he added, ”we're here”
The taxicab was drawing up before an apart his hoard of gold-pieces, P Sybarite jue that,” said the latter, staring ”Besides, this was a charge call”
”I know,” said P Sybarite apologetically; ”but this is for you”
”Good God!” cried the chauffeur
”And yet,” mused P Sybarite, ”they'd have you believe all taxicab chauffeurs mercenary!”
Recklessly he forced the ether inhospitable palravely
”Forever and ever, amen!” protested the latter fervently ”And thank _you_!”
”If you're satisfied, we're quits,” returned P Sybarite, offering a hand to the boy
”I canwithout assistance
”And it's better so,” he explained as they crossed to the door; ”I don't want the hallboys here to suspect--and I can hold up a fewoff ned ad wonder”
A liveried hallboy opened the door A second waited in the elevator
Pro, they were set down at one of the upper floors
Throughout the boy carried himself with never a quiver, his countenance co what pain he suffered only to eyes keen to discern its trace of pallor Now as he left the elevator and fitted a key to the lock of his private front door, he addressed the attendant, over his shoulder, in a manner admirably casual:
”By the way, Jiins for estion and will be glad if he'll turn out and see if he can't fix ood, Mr Kenny”
The gate clanged and the cage dropped froht as Mr Kenny opened the door and stood aside to let P Sybarite precede him