Outside, Lord Dreever placed the palm of his right hand on his
forehead.
'I say, Pitt,' he said.
'Hullo?'
'Who the devil's that?'
'Who? Spike? Oh, that's my man.'
'Your man! Is he always like that? I mean, going on like a frightful
music-hall comedian? Dancing, you know! And, I say, what on earth
language was that he was talking? I couldn't understand one word in
ten.'
'Oh, that's American, the Bowery variety.'
'Oh, well, I suppose it's all right if you understand it. I
can't. By gad,' he broke off, with a chuckle, 'I'd give something to
see him talking to old Saunders, our butler at home. He's got the
manners of a duke.'
'Spike should revise those,' said Jimmy.
'What do you call him?'
'Spike.'
'Rummy name, isn't it?'
'Oh, I don't know. Short for Algernon.'
'He seemed pretty chummy.'
'That's his independent bringing-up. We're all like that in
America.'
'Well, so long.'
'So long.'
On the bottom step, Lord Dreever halted.
'I say. I've got it!'
'Good for you. Got what?'
'Why, I knew I'd seen that chap's face somewhere before, only I
couldn't place him. I've got him now. He's the Johnny who came into
the shelter last night. Chap you gave a quid to.'
Spike's was one of those faces that, without being essentially
beautiful, stamp themselves on the memory.
'You're quite right,' said Jimmy. 'I was wondering if you would
recognize him. The fact is, he's a man I once employed over in New
York, and, when I came across him over here, he was so evidently
wanting a bit of help that I took him on again. As a matter of fact,
I needed somebody to look after my things, and Spike can do it as
well as anybody else.'
'I see. Not bad my spotting him, was it? Well, I must be off. Good-
bye. Two-fifteen at Paddington. Meet you there. Take a ticket for
Dreever if you're there before me.'
'Eight. Good-bye.'
Jimmy returned to the dining-room. Spike, who was examining as much
as he could of himself in the glass, turned round with his wonted
grin.
'Say, who's de gazebo, boss? Ain't he de mug youse was wit' last
night?'
'That's the man. We're going down with him to the country to-day,
Spike, so be ready.'
