'He tells me to say that he will be in his office at twelve o'clock to-morrow morning. His office is in the Morton Building, Nassau Street.'
Psmith clicked his tongue regretfully.
'Then I do not see how we can meet,' he said. 'I shall be here.'
'He wishes to see you at his office.'
'I am sorry, Comrade Parker. It is impossible. I am very busy just now, as you may know, preparing the next number, the one in which we publish the name of the owner of the Pleasant Street Tenements. Otherwise, I should be delighted. Perhaps later, when the rush of work has diminished somewhat.'
'Am I to tell Mr. Waring that you refuse?'
'If you are seeing him at any time and feel at a loss for something to say, perhaps you might mention it. Is there anything else I can do for you, Comrade Parker?'
'See here--'
'Nothing? Then good-bye. Look in when you're this way.'
He hung up the receiver.
As he did so, he was aware of Master Maloney standing beside the table.
'Yes, Comrade Maloney?'
'Telegram,' said Pugsy. 'For Mr. Windsor.'
Psmith ripped open the envelope.
The message ran:
'Returning to-day. Will be at office to-morrow morning,' and it was signed 'Wilberfloss.'
'See who's here!' said Psmith softly.
CHAPTER XXVIII
STANDING ROOM ONLY
In the light of subsequent events it was perhaps the least bit unfortunate that Mr. Jarvis should have seen fit to bring with him to the office of Cosy Moments on the following morning two of his celebrated squad of cats, and that Long Otto, who, as usual, accompanied him, should have been fired by his example to the extent of introducing a large and rather boisterous yellow dog. They were not to be blamed, of course. They could not know that before the morning was over space in the office would be at a premium. Still, it was unfortunate.
Mr. Jarvis was slightly apologetic.
'T'ought I'd bring de kits along,' he said. 'Dey started in scrappin' yesterday when I was here, so to-day I says I'll keep my eye on dem.'
Psmith inspected the menagerie without resentment.
'Assuredly, Comrade Jarvis,' he said. 'They add a pleasantly cosy and domestic touch to the scene. The only possible criticism I can find to make has to do with their probable brawling with the dog.'
'Oh, dey won't scrap wit de dawg. Dey knows him.'
'But is he aware of that? He looks to me a somewhat impulsive animal. Well, well, the matter's in your hands. If you will undertake to look after the refereeing of any pogrom that may arise, I say no more.'
Mr. Jarvis's statement as to the friendly relations between the animals proved to be correct. The dog made no attempt to annihilate the cats. After an inquisitive journey round the room he lay down and went to sleep, and an era of peace set in. The cats had settled themselves comfortably, one on each of Mr. Jarvis's knees, and Long Otto, surveying the ceiling with his customary glassy stare, smoked a long cigar in silence. Bat breathed a tune, and scratched one of the cats under the ear. It was a soothing scene.
But it did not last. Ten minutes had barely elapsed when the yellow dog, sitting up with a start, uttered a whine. In the outer office could be heard a stir and movement. The next moment the door burst open and a little man dashed in. He had a peeled nose and showed other evidences of having been living in the open air. Behind him was a crowd of uncertain numbers. Psmith recognised the leaders of this crowd. They were the Reverend Edwin T. Philpotts and Mr. B. Henderson Asher.
'Why, Comrade Asher,' he said, 'this is indeed a Moment of Mirth. I have been wondering for weeks where you could have got to. And Comrade Philpotts! Am I wrong in saying that this is the maddest, merriest day of all the glad New Year?'
The rest of the crowd had entered the room.
'Comrade Waterman, too!' cried Psmith. 'Why we have all met before. Except--'
He glanced inquiringly at the little man with the peeled nose.
'My name is Wilberfloss,' said the other with austerity. 'Will you be so good as to tell me where Mr. Windsor is?'
A murmur of approval from his followers.
'In one moment,' said Psmith. 'First, however, let me introduce two important members of our staff. On your right, Mr. Bat Jarvis. On your left, Mr. Long Otto. Both of Groome Street.'
The two Bowery boys rose awkwardly. The cats fell in an avalanche to the floor. Long Otto, in his haste, trod on the dog, which began barking, a process which it kept up almost without a pause during the rest of the interview.
'Mr. Wilberfloss,' said Psmith in an aside to Bat, 'is widely known as a cat fancier in Brooklyn circles.'
