, I think, as he would have patted
Skookums in encouragement.

"Oh, be a good sport, Roger. You _can_ be when you want to, you know.
We won't bother you. We'll be in the gym or on the road most of the
day, and in bed at nine sharp."

"What do you--want me to do?" I stammered at last.

"Why nothing," he said, his face brightening. "Just to be Jerry Benham
for awhile. It isn't such a lot to ask, is it? Just make believe
you're pleased as punch to have 'em around--come and watch me work"
(he had the jargon at his tongue's tip) "and show some interest in
the proceedings. You _are_ interested, Roger."

"I'm not."

"You don't want to see me licked, do you?"

I sighed. The affair was out of my hands.

"What shall you want to eat?" I asked meekly.

"Oh, beefsteak, lots of it--and other things. Flynn will tell you." He
folded his arms and gazed down at me contentedly. "Thanks, old man,"
he said gratefully. "I knew you would. It's fine of you. I won't
forget it."

"Nor will I," I said. Jerry only laughed. D--n the boy. It was rank
tyranny.

Flynn and Sagorski were already down the stairs. I eyed them
malevolently, but rose and went to the kitchen to give the necessary
orders. There I found the force of servants in executive session and
my appearance was the signal for immediate notice from the entire lot.
I hadn't foreseen this difficulty which immediately assumed the
proportions of a calamity. They stated their objections, which may
well be imagined, most respectfully but in no uncertain terms. They
could have endured Mr. Flynn, Mr. Carty and Mr. Sagorski, but they
balked at Mr. Danny Monroe. I had balked at him, too, but I didn't
tell them so. The upstairs maids (we had chambermaids now) absolutely
refused to consider any of my arguments in rebuttal and were already
pinning on their hats, when Jerry, who had gotten wind of the mutiny
from Christopher (poor Christopher!), came running and planting
himself in their very midst, demolished their objections with a laugh
and an offer of double wages. They smiled at a joke he made, weakened,
finally unpinned their hats and took up their aprons. I have never in
my experience seen such an example of the blandishment of wealth.

Peace restored and the orders given, which included a pledge of
secrecy as to Jerry's real identity and mine, I made my way to the
gymnasium with Jerry in a valiant effort to "be a good sport" and to
appear as "pleased as punch" at the invasion of