There was another pause, then Alfred drew in his breath and bore down
upon Jimmy with fresh vehemence. "The only time I get even a semblance
of truth out of Zoie," he cried, "is when I catch her red-handed."
Again he pounded the table and again Jimmy winced. "And even then," he
continued, "she colours it so with her affected innocence and her plea
about just wishing to be a 'good fellow,' that she almost makes me doubt
my own eyes. She is an artist," he declared with a touch of enforced
admiration. "There's no use talking; that woman is an artist."
"What are you going to do?" asked Jimmy, for the want of anything better
to say.
"I am going to leave her," declared Alfred emphatically. "I am going
away."
A faint hope lit Jimmy's round childlike face. With Alfred away there
would be no further investigation of the luncheon incident.
"That might be a good idea," he said.
"It's THE idea," said Alfred; "most of my business is in Detroit anyhow.
I'm going to make that my headquarters and stay there."
Jimmy was almost smiling.
"As for Zoie," continued Alfred, "she can stay right here and go as far
as she likes."
"Not with me," thought Jimmy.
"But," shrieked Alfred, with renewed emphasis, "I'm going to find out
who the FELLOW is. I'll have THAT satisfaction!"
Jimmy's spirits fell.
"Henri knows the head-waiter of every restaurant in this town," said
Alfred, "that is, every one where she'd be likely to go; and he says
he'd recognise the man she lunched with if he saw him again."
Jimmy's features became suddenly distorted.
"The minute she appears anywhere with anybody," explained Alfred, "Henri
will be notified by 'phone. He'll identify the man and then he'll wire
me."
"What good will that do?" asked Jimmy weakly.
"I'll take the first train home," declared Alfred.
"For what?" questioned Jimmy.
"To shoot him!" exclaimed Alfred.
"What!" gasped Jimmy, almost losing his footing.
Alfred mistook Jimmy's concern for anxiety on his behalf.
"Oh, I'll be acquitted," he declared. "Don't you worry. I'll get my tale
of woe before the jury."
"But I say," protested Jimmy, too uneasy to longer conceal his real
emotions, "why kill this one particular chap when there are so many
others?"