we were really there, and some who
didn't know us sent word to us or walked by to look at us, as if we were
performing animals. The name of Jardine was paged through the corridors
and billiard-room and cafe until we had a personal acquaintance with
every menial in the hotel. It cost us a good deal to get away, I
remember.

All these first-mentioned nice persons encouraged us, and slapped Aubrey
on the back and called him "old chap," much to his annoyance (for the
Angel hates familiarity from chance acquaintances), and said we were
doing the right thing and God-blessed-us and wanted us to promise to let
them know how we came out.

We said nothing, but we could see that not one among them all but
expected either a lawsuit or that we would be obliged to back down and
pay for this foolhardy defiance of the despot out of our own pockets.

Each day we went out to the apartment and examined the thermometers and
took signed statements as to the degree they registered. We had notified
the agent that we would not return until it was sixty-eight Fahrenheit in
the bedrooms.

On the afternoon of the third day the weather had moderated to such an
extent that it was sixty-eight, so I stayed while Aubrey went down to the
Waldorf for the bill and our bag. On his return he proudly exhibited a
receipted bill for $27.

As no reply had been received to our letter and no one had been sent to
see us, we felt a truly justifiable pride in the little surprise we had
for Jepson when on the first of November the Angel sent a cheque for
November rent, less $27, together with the now famous receipted bill.

If we felt that we had been ignored by our agent hitherto, we had no
cause for complaint after the receipt of that bill and cheque. In fact,
as I told Aubrey, Jepson did not have time to use a paper-knife on the
envelope,--he must have torn it open with feverish fingers,--for the
telephone-bell jingled madly before breakfast when the office "wanted to
know the meaning of this," and when the Angel rang off without any reply,
poor old Jepson came up to the apartment out of breath.

We got plenty of attention after _that_!

Jepson was at first quite confident--even patronizing.

"Why, don't you know, Mr. Jardine, we can't allow any such absurd thing
as this to go on--not for a minute."

"Ah," said Aubrey. "What do you propose to do about it?"

"I propose to leave this--this--er--bill and cheque with you and collect
the full amoun