Part 24 (1/2)

Barnes led the way through the long, narrow corridor to the rear of the house, while Phelan followed, muttering and grumbling every inch of the way. There was no further conversation between them while they investigated the elaborate quarters below stairs, and at last Phelan ceased his mutterings and accepted from Barnes an armful of cook books with which to regale himself until he was summoned to resume his uniform.

Returning to the big silent rooms above, Whitney Barnes was utterly at a loss how to occupy himself. The thundering stillness got on his nerves and he found himself thinking of a dozen different things at once. But as idea pursued idea the image of the shy and winsome Sadie persisted in intervening.

So he dropped Travers Gladwin, or rather the two Travers Gladwins, Helen, Phelan and all the others from his mind and gave himself up to the beatific contemplation of the picture that was most soothing to his spirits.

For a while he lolled back in one of the great chairs, shut his eyes and revolved pleasant visions. Suddenly he thought of his father and sprang to his feet.

”By Jove! I'll break the news to the pater,” he cried. ”There's a telephone somewhere in this house, and I'll call him up at his club.”

He fairly danced out into the hallway, switching on lights wherever he could find a b.u.t.ton to press. Presently he located the phone in a secluded alcove and slumped down on a divan with the instrument in his lap.

As a matter of fixed routine, it happened that this particular hour found Joshua Barnes, mustard magnate, settled down to his cigar and coffee, in which he found immense comfort after a hearty meal. To be disturbed at this most luxurious moment of the day was, to a man of his temperament, about as pleasant a sensation as being stung by a rattlesnake.

He sent the club attendant back to the phone with a savage growl and the message to his son to call him up in an hour or to come to the club in person. The attendant crept back with the report that Barnes junior insisted that there could be no delay--that he had a vastly important matter to report on.

Old Grim Barnes flung down his cigar, gulped his coffee till he choked and stamped off to the telephone booth.

”Well?” he bellowed.

--That you, pater--sorry to disturb you, but--

--Of course it's important and no d.a.m.n nonsense about it, I----

--No, I haven't been arrested and am not in a police station.

--Then what the devil----

--No devil, nothing of the sort. On the contrary, quite the opposite!

I've called you up to report progress----

--You know better than that, dad. I've only had two drinks.

--I'd better take four more and sober up? Now, Father Barnes, will you oblige me by cooling off for an instant? You recall that this afternoon you gave me a year within which to find a wife. Well, I've found one already.

--Now you know I'm intoxicated? Was my voice ever soberer--now listen.

--You won't listen? But you must. This is all up to you. You commanded. I obeyed. Say, dad, she's an angel. I'm madly in love with her.

--Who is she? Well, er, I really don't know--that is, her first name is Sadie. I----

--Sadie what? Sadie Omaha--I mean she lives in Omaha.

--What is her last name and who are her people? To tell you the truth I haven't found that out yet. I----

--I'm an a.s.s?--a blankety, blank a.s.s? Just wait till you see her! I met her up at Travers Gladwin's, and----

--Travers is in Egypt! No, yes, of course he is, but----

The final outburst of paternal expletive fairly hurled Whitney Barnes from the phone.