“I do not sir,” said Morley, half closing his eyes to veil the joy in them. “You had better apply to the police.”
“The police!” said the old man. “I ain’t done nothin’ to call in the police about. I just come down to see Ben. He lives in a five-story house, he writes me. If you know anybody by that name and could”—
“I told you I did not,” said Morley, coldly. “I know no one by the name of Smithers, and I advise you to”—
“Smothers, not Smithers,” interrupted the old man hopefully. “A heavy-sot man, sandy complected, about twenty-nine, two front teeth out, about five foot”—
“Oh, ‘Smothers!’” exclaimed Morley. “Sol Smothers? Why, he lives in the next house to me. I thought you said ‘Smithers.’”
Morley looked at his watch. You must have a watch. You can do it for a dollar. Better go hungry than forego a gunmetal or the ninety-eight-cent one that the railroads—according to these watchmakers—are run by.
“The Bishop of Long Island,” said Morley, “was to meet me here at 8 to dine with me at the Kingfishers’ Club. But I can’t leave the father of my friend Sol Smothers alone on the street. By St. Swithin, Mr. Smothers, we Wall street men have to
[66]
