'"
Dick's fingers trembled so that he dropped the pen, though he
tried to conceal his feelings.
Dave Darrin's fists clenched tightly, though he had the good sense
to realize that to start a fight in the parlor was out of the
question.
Ripley's remark had been loud enough to attract the attention
of nearly every person in the big room toward Dick and Dave.
CHAPTER XII
SUSIE DISCOMFITS A BOOR
Laura Bentley bit her lips. She flushed, then started to rise,
but Susie Sharp gently pushed her back into her seat, then crossed
to an electric button in the frame of a window.
A bell-boy promptly answered Susie's ring.
"Will you kindly ask the manager to come here at once?" asked
Susie.
As it happened, the manager was no further away than the corridor.
He came in quickly, bowing.
"Mr. Wright," asked Susie coldly, nodding toward Fred Ripley,
who stood leaning over a chair, smiling insolently, "will you
kindly have this objectionable person removed? He is annoying
our guests."
In a twinkling Fred's insolent smile vanished. Susie's request
had not been voiced in a loud tone, but it had been heard by perhaps
twenty-five strangers in the parlor.
Ripley's face paled, briefly, then became fiery red. He stood
erect, stammered inarticulately, then looked as though he were
furtively seeking some hiding place.
"I think, Miss Sharp," replied the hotel manager, with another
bow, "that the young man is on the point of leaving, and that
the services of a porter will not be needed.
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