I'll
play their game. I'll get a guitar, I'll--Oh, from this moment I'm
a Spaniard of the Spaniards. I'm the incarnation of ten thousand
fiery cavaliers. I'll stand in front of her house until she sends
me a chair. Maria Tor--What the deuce are you loafing for? Get a
move on; hustle those kidney feet of yours. Don't come back until
you have located her; for to-night--ah, blessed night! My life's
romance begins in earnest. GET OUT!"
Allan fled while Kirk proceeded to dream over his breakfast of
bacon and cold-storage eggs.
He was beaming when he appeared at the office. He sang, he
whistled, he performed his duties with a joyous uproar that
interfered seriously with all around him and set the whole place
in confusion. Nor did his spirits lessen when, later in the day,
Allan informed him that the residence of Senor Luis Torres, whom
the gods had selected as father to the delectable Maria, was at
number 89 Avenida Norte.
Anthony did not taste his dinner that evening. As darkness settled
he planted himself conspicuously on the corner opposite No. 89 and
began to study the premises.
It was a trifle disappointing to note that Chiquita lived in such
poor style; the place was not at all impressive. The first floor
of the building was given over to a Chinese bazaar, and the upper
story seemed neither extremely clean nor at all modern.
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