Unfortunately for Jimmy, the outer door of the Hardy apartment
had been left ajar, and thus it was that he was suddenly startled
from Zoie's unwelcome embraces by a sharp exclamation.
"So!" cried Alfred, and he brought his fist down with emphasis on
the centre table at Jimmy's back.
Wheeling about, Jimmy beheld his friend face to face with him.
Alfred's lips were pressed tightly together, his eyes flashing
fire. It was apparent that he desired an immediate explanation.
Jimmy turned to the place where Zoie had been, to ask for help;
like the traitress that she was, he now saw her flying through
her bedroom door. Again he glanced at Alfred, who was standing
like a sentry, waiting for the pass-word that should restore his
confidence in his friend.
"I'm afraid I've disturbed you," sneered Alfred.
"Oh, no, not at all," answered Jimmy, affecting a careless
indifference that he did not feel and unconsciously shaking hands
with the waiting secretary.
Reminded of the secretary's presence in such a distinctly family
scene, Alfred turned to him with annoyance.
"Go into my study," he said. "I'll be with you presently.
Here's your list," he added and he thrust a long memorandum into
the secretary's hand. Johnson retired as unobtrusively as
possible and the two old friends were left alone. There was
another embarrassed silence which Jimmy, at least, seemed
powerless to break.
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