"
The private secretary made a foolish little bow in modest appreciation
of so uncertain a compliment. Mr. Jonas B. Sidebotham watched him
narrowly, as the novelists say, before he continued his remarks.
"I have no doubt that you are a plucky fellow and--" He hesitated, and
puffed at his cigar as if his life depended upon it keeping alight.
"I don't think I'm afraid of anything in particular, sir--except women,"
interposed the young man, feeling that it was time for him to make an
observation of some sort, but still quite in the dark as to his chief's
purpose.
"Humph!" he grunted. "Well, there are no women in this case so far as I
know. But there may be other things that--that hurt more."
"Wants a special service of some kind, evidently," was the secretary's
reflection. "Personal violence?" he asked aloud.
"Possibly (puff), in fact (puff, puff) probably."
Shorthouse smelt an increase of salary in the air. It had a stimulating
effect.
"I've had some experience of that article, sir," he said shortly; "but
I'm ready to undertake anything in reason.
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