Steve was just saying to himself for the fiftieth time that he was a
fool to have come, when Keggs arrived with the news that Mr. Bannister
was too busy to take his usual exercise this morning and that Steve was
at liberty to go.
It speaks well for Steve's character that he did not go. He would have
given much to retire, for the old man was one of the few people who
inspired in him anything resembling fear. But he could not return
tamely to the studio with his mission unaccomplished.
"Say, ask him if he can see me for a minute. Say it is important."
Keggs' eye rested on William Bannister, and he shook his head.
"I shouldn't, Mr. Dingle. Really I shouldn't. You don't know what an
ugly mood he's in. Something's been worrying him. It's what you might
call courting disaster."
"Gee! Do you think I _want_ to do it? I've just got to. That's all
there is to it."
A few moments later Keggs returned with the news that Mr. Bannister
would see Dingle in the library.
"Come along, kid," said Steve. "Gimme hold of the excess baggage, and
let's get a move on."
So in the end it was Mr. Bannister who was discovered and Steve who
made the entrance. And, as Steve pointed out to Kirk later, it just
made all the difference.
The effect of the change on Steve was to make him almost rollicking in
his manner, as if he and Mr.
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