We could either stay out there and
stare at the door, or follow her in. So in we goes. And maybe Vee's
gray eyes don't open some wide as she views the procession streamin'
in. She glances at me inquirin'. I throws up both hands and shakes my
head, indicatin' that it was beyond words.
"Now," says Auntie, liftin' her purple-decorated lid off one ear and
tuckin' a stray lock into her back hair, "I will answer your question.
I have just sent Captain Killam back to his hotel."
"The Illington?" demands Old Hickory.
"No," says Auntie. "It was my fancy that Captain Killam deserved
rather better quarters than those you saw fit to provide. So I found
others for him--just where, I do not care to say."
"But he came in here with you a moment ago," insists Old Hickory. "How
could you--"
"I'm next!" says I. "You smuggles him over the roof and down the
elevator in the next building. Wasn't that how you gave us the slip?"
Auntie indulges in one of them lemony, tight-lipped smiles of hers.
"You have exposed my poor strategy," says she; "but a little late, I
trust."
Mr. Ellins makes her a bow.
"Mrs. Hemmingway," says he, "my compliments on your cleverness as a
tactician. But I fail to see how you justify your methods. You knew
that I was negotiating with Captain Killam?"
"Oh, yes," says she.
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