"We must often consult together, and decide what is best for Bobo," she went on sweetly. "And if he won't do things that you think he ought, I'll add my influence. And then I'll get you to help me with him when I need you." "Fine!" said Jack. "Poor Bobo!" he silently added. As was usual with this young lady, her romantic and sentimental scenes generally led up to a very practical climax. "Has Bobo given you power of attorney?" she asked. "No." "Why is it he won't draw even the smallest of checks unless you are there?" "Oh, that was one of the things we agreed on when I took the job of secretary. He wanted to be saved from throwing it about." "Very wise," said Miriam. "But now that he has another disinterested friend the situation is altered, isn't it? If I am with him it will be sufficient. I shall tell him that you release him from that part of your agreement." This was said with a charming smile, as a sort of experimental joke. Jack smiled back no less sweetly. "But I have not released him." "I thought we were going to work together," she pouted. Jack still affected to treat the matter as a joke. "You surely don't expect me to yield up the only source of my power!--the hand upon the purse strings!" She shook an arch finger at him--but there was an angry spark in the hazel eyes. "Beware!" she said merrily. "The power of the faithful secretary is threatened by the adored wife. You'd better accept my offer of an alliance when it is open." "Oh, when Bobo takes a wife I'll resign," said Jack, laughing. Bobo came bustling back at this juncture. "I've had a deuce of a time," he grumbled. "The theater was closed. I found the watchman, but he wouldn't let me in. Said he'd find the pin if it was there, and turn it into the box-office. Old fool!" "It was cruel of me to send you all that way," cooed Miriam. "Sit down and eat a good supper. I shan't be able to eat a mouthful till you say you forgive me!" "Forgive you!" cried poor Bobo. "I'd go to China and back if it would please you!" They gazed into each other's eyes, while Jack grimly sipped his wine. "You're clever," he was thinking, "but there's a serious defect in your method. How do you expect me to fall for you, when you let me see you making such a fool of Bobo!" 16 Meanwhile Jack was not neglecting his other "lines." In the character of Mr. Pitman he lunched with Dave Anderson nearly every day, and the intimacy between them ripened fast. After several invitations, Mr. Pitman finally allowed himself to be persuaded to visit Mr. Anderson's office. They sat in the inner office with their cigars, and discussed crime in all its aspects. "Anything--er--specially interesting on just now?" asked Mr. Pitman, with a look suggesting that he was not averse to hearing the most horrible details. Jack, under Evers' tuition had developed the character of Pitman to a high degree of artistry.