Part 47 (1/2)

Trinkmann choked in mingled rage and indignation, and before he could sufficiently compose himself to sort out an enunciable phrase from all the profanity that surged to his lips Maikafer had brought forward the man in the fur overcoat.

”This is my friend, Mr. Ringentaub,” he said, ”also in the restaurant business.”

”I'm pleased to meet your acquaintance,” Mr. Ringentaub said. ”Before I got through talking with you on the 'phone this morning some one cut us off.”

At this juncture Trinkmann's pent-up emotion found expression.

”Away from here,” he bellowed, after he had uttered a highly coloured preamble, ”away from here, the both of youse, before I call a policeman and make you arrested!”

”Excuse me, Mr. Trinkmann,” Maikafer interrupted, ”do you got a lease on the sidewalk, too?”

”Never mind what I got a lease on,” Trinkmann said. ”You are coming around here trying to steal away my waiters and----”

”One moment, Mr. Trinkmann,” Max said. ”We are not trying to steal away your waiters at all. Mr. Ringentaub here is a gentleman, even if some people which is in the restaurant business don't act that way, Mr.

Trinkmann; but as you told me yourself, Mr. Trinkmann, you are firing Louis and he's going to quit you at three o'clock; and as it is now five minutes to three----”

”Who is going to quit me at three o'clock?” Trinkmann demanded.

”Louis is,” Maikafer said.

”That's where you make a big mistake,” Trinkmann cried. ”Louis ain't going to quit me at all. Here, I'll show you.”

He led the way into the restaurant.

”Come inside, Mr. Ringentaub,” he said excitedly. ”No one is going to harm you. Come right inside, and I'll show you suckers you are mistaken.”

He closed the door after them and almost ran to the kitchen.

”Louis,” he said, ”come here; I want to talk a few words something to you.”

He grabbed Louis by the arm and led him to the cas.h.i.+er's desk, where Maikafer and his companion were standing.

”Louis,” he said, ”tell these gentlemen didn't I told you you should ring up sure to-morrow morning Greenberg & Company about the cigars?”

Louis nodded and Trinkmann glared triumphantly at his visitors.

”Then if I told him to ring up Greenberg & Company about the cigars to-morrow morning, understand me,” he cried, ”how could it be possible that he quits me this afternoon?”

”But, Mr. Trinkmann,” Louis protested, ”you did told me I should quit this afternoon.”

”_Dummer Esel!_” Trinkmann exclaimed. ”Couldn't I open my mouth in my own restaurant at all?”

”Well, if that's the case,” Ringentaub said, ”then Louis could come to work by me. Ain't that right, Louis?”

Louis looked at Max Maikafer, whose right eyelid fluttered encouragingly.

”And I would pay him twenty-eight dollars a month,” Ringentaub continued, ”and guarantee to keep him a year. Is that satisfactory, Louis?”

Louis' tongue clove to the roof of his mouth, but he managed to enunciate a monosyllable of a.s.sent.