The Substitute Millionaire — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Substitute Millionaire
John Stuart Mill · en
They discussed their arrangements in detail. Once she had consented,
Kate entered into it with a will. In the midst of their talk a clock
struck one.
"Half-past nine!" said Jack, starting up. "I clean forgot Bobo
downstairs!"
"Why didn't you bring him up?" said Kate. "I'm curious to see him."
"Thanks," said Jack, "but for once I wanted to play first fiddle
myself."
At the door he gave her her final instructions. "You will start in
to-morrow?"
"Yes," she said promptly. "I know a girl that will be pleased to
pieces to substitute for me at the typewriter."
"Oh, you'll never go back there," said Jack.
"We'll see," she said demurely. As a matter of fact her heart was
singing at the prospect of release from horrible monotony.
"My lawyer will come here in the morning with the keys and the
necessary funds," said Jack.
"Oh, don't have him come here. I'll go to his office."
"Very well, if you'd rather. I'll write down the address. You and I
mustn't see each other again, until I come to you to apply for a room.
Can you open up in three days?"
"Three days!" she cried, aghast.
"Oh, things are made easy for you, I find, when you have the coin."
"Well, I'll try."
Jack went down the stairs two steps at a time, not at all displeased
with himself. Had he not rescued Kate from her squalid surroundings,
and made sure of being able to see her as often as he wanted? Let her
fight him as she would, she was his partner already. She must come all
the way some day soon. It was silly for her to make out she didn't
mind poverty. She had given it away, in spite of herself.
The elegant limousine still rested at the curb, the chauffeur fast
asleep in the corner of the front seat. The dome light was now out and
Jack could not see into the body of the car. He was astonished when he
opened the door to find it empty. The chauffeur woke up instinctively.
"Where is Mr. Norman?" demanded Jack, staring at the spot where he
ought to have been.
"'Deed I don't know, sir. He was inside, all right, when I dropped
off. I heard you tell him to take a snooze, so I thought I----"
"Sure, that's all right," said Jack. "He's big enough to take care of
himself."
He looked anxiously up and down the street, but there was no sign of
his silk-hatted friend.
11
Jack was at a loss which way to turn. Suddenly at a street level
window of the apartment house he had just left, he saw a fat woman
resting her folded arms on a pillow on the sill. She looked as if she
had been there for hours. He approached, lifting his hat.
"Excuse me, madam, but did you see my friend get out of the car?"
"Sure, I see him," she replied in scornful accents. "Didn't he get out
and walk up and down gapping and stretching like he was tired of
waiting for you!"
"I'm sorry," murmured Jack. She seemed to expect it. Then: "Which way
did he go?"