"I hope I shall learn," I answered.
"Where is the proprietor?" she asked.
"He is not very well this evening," I told her. "He may be round later
on."
"You do not talk like a German," she said, dropping into her own
language.
"I have been in America nearly all my life," I answered in German. "I
speak English more readily, perhaps, but the other soon returns."
"Get me the German papers, please," she said. "I expect my man will keep
me waiting to-night."
I bowed and took the opportunity to escape. I sent the papers by one of
the waiters. Madame was a little too anxious to cross-examine me. I began
checking some counterfoils at the desk, but before I had been there five
minutes the door of the inner room was opened, and Mr. Hirsch appeared
upon the threshold. He caught my eye and beckoned to me solemnly. I
crossed the room, ascended the steps, and found myself in what the
waiters called the club-room. Mr. Hirsch carefully closed the door behind
me.
The first thing that surprised me was, that although I had seen nine men
ascend the three stairs and enter the room, there was now, besides myself
and Hirsch, only one other person present.
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