aving the oyster patty on the tray, he stalked across to
Jack and said, threateningly:

"How dare you speak like that? Mentioning Miss Brewster's name in the
same breath as an oyster patty or a poll-parrot."

But the truth of the matter was, Jack had never meant to convey the
meaning, when he said "Pollies," that he spoke of parrots. So he
instantly took the stand of the offended one.

"How dare you even hint at such an insult to a friend of mine? I consider
Miss Brewster too far above either you or me to discuss her with you,
about such matters."

Wise Taki had disappeared quickly and in another moment the harassed host
came hurrying from the serving board. He glowered upon Tom and Jack, and
grasping each one by the arm, he hustled them out into the main hall of
the building and then spoke.

"You two bullies go down in the street and fight it out. I'll do you the
favor to ring up the police station and call a cop to come around and
take you both in custody--that's where you belong, until you come to your
senses. If _I_ were a girl I'd never look at either of you again."

But this advice cooled their anger, and the moment Mr. Dalken turned to
go back to his apartment both men laughed at the situation. Tom offered
his hand and Baxter shook it. Then each apologised to the other, and in a
few minutes they started for the door of the apartment.

But the door was locked, and, in front of it on the mat, were two small
heaps: one was composed of Tom's coat and hat, with a patty and sandwich
on a wooden plate, on top of it. The other small heap was Jack's
dress-cape, with his silk hat topping it, and in the hat, were his gloves
and the plate with refreshments. His cane hung on the door-knob.

All the bell-ringing Tom indulged in, thereafter, failed to bring any
answer. So the two young men, highly amused by their host's farewell act,
ate the scanty refreshments handed out, and then left the two wooden
plates in front of the door, with a note on each. The pencilled scrawls
said: "Two hungry beggars thank the rich man who threw them the crumbs
from his table."

After they had gone down to the ground floor, Jack said: "I'll try to get
Dalken on the telephone and ask him to send us down enough company to
keep us from going to sleep in the reception room."

Tom laughed and stood eagerly waiting to hear the reply. But the operator
smiled and reported: "Mr. Dalken called down a few minutes ago, and said
that he was not at h