But the other snarled: "Senor Locke, you 'ave force' the water of
the 'ose-wagon upon my body for making the people laugh. Bueno!
Now I shall laugh." He seated himself, then nodded at his men to
begin.




IX

SPANISH LAW


Mrs. Cortlandt answered her telephone for the second time,
repeating with some impatience: "Tell the man I can't see him."

"But he refuses to leave--says he must see you at once; it's
important," came the voice of the clerk.

"Oh, very well. I'll come down." She hung up the receiver with a
snap.

"Why don't they send him up?" queried her husband from the
sitting-room.

"It's a negro, and the clerk says he'd rather not allow him up-
stairs. Another sick family, I suppose."

"They're beginning to impose on you. It's usually that way with
charities," said Cortlandt.