Part 33 (2/2)
”But Aggie,” argued Alfred, puzzled by her illogical behaviour, ”would it be wise to wake them?”
”Just this once,” said Aggie. ”Now you stay here and I'll get them.”
Before Alfred could protest further she was out of the room and the door had closed behind her, so he resigned himself to her decision, banished his temporary annoyance at her obstinacy, and glanced about the room with a new air of proprietors.h.i.+p.
”This is certainly a great night, Zoie,” he said.
”It certainly is,” acquiesced Zoie, with an over emphasis that made Alfred turn to her with new concern.
”I'm afraid that mad woman made you very nervous, dear,” he said.
”She certainly did,” said Zoie.
Zoie's nerves were destined to bear still further strain, for at that moment, there came a sharp ring at the door.
Beside herself with anxiety Zoie threw her arms about Alfred, who had advanced to soothe her, drew him down by her side and buried her head on his breast.
”You ARE jumpy,” said Alfred, and at that instant a wrangle of loud voices, and a general commotion was heard in the outer hall. ”What's that?” asked Alfred, endeavouring to disentangle himself from Zoie's frantic embrace.
Zoie clung to him so tightly that he was unable to rise, but his alert ear caught the sound of a familiar voice rising above the din of dispute in the hallway.
”That sounds like the officer,” he exclaimed.
”The officer?” cried Zoie, and she wound her arms more tightly about him.
CHAPTER XXVII
Propelled by a large red fist, attached to the back of his badly wilted collar, the writhing form of Jimmy was now thrust through the outer door.
”Let go of me,” shouted the hapless Jimmy.
The answer was a spasmodic shaking administered by the fist; then a large burly officer, carrying a small babe in his arms, shoved the reluctant Jimmy into the centre of the room and stood guard over him.
”I got him for you, sir,” announced the officer proudly, to the astonished Alfred, who had just managed to untwine Zoie's arms and to struggle to his feet.
Alfred's eyes fell first upon the dejected Jimmy, then they travelled to the bundle of long clothes in the officer's arms.
”My boy!” he cried. ”My boy!” He s.n.a.t.c.hed the infant from the officer and pressed him jealously to his breast. ”I don't understand,” he said, gazing at the officer in stupefaction. ”Where was he?”
”You mean this one?” asked the officer, nodding toward the unfortunate Jimmy. ”I caught him slipping down your fire-escape.”
”I KNEW it,” exclaimed Zoie in a rage, and she cast a vindictive look at Jimmy for his awkwardness.
”Knew WHAT, dear?” asked Alfred, now thoroughly puzzled.
Zoie did not answer. Her powers of resource were fast waning. Alfred turned again to the officer, then to Jimmy, who was still flas.h.i.+ng defiance into the officer's threatening eyes.
”My G.o.d!” he exclaimed, ”this is awful. What's the matter with you, Jimmy? This is the third time that you have tried to take my baby out into the night.”
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