There was another pause, then Alfred drew in his breath and bore down
upon Jimmy with fresh vehemence. "The only time I get even a semblance
of truth out of Zoie," he cried, "is when I catch her red-handed."
Again he pounded the table and again Jimmy winced. "And even then," he
continued, "she colours it so with her affected innocence and her plea
about just wishing to be a 'good fellow,' that she almost makes me doubt
my own eyes. She is an artist," he declared with a touch of enforced
admiration. "There's no use talking; that woman is an artist."

"What are you going to do?" asked Jimmy, for the want of anything better
to say.

"I am going to leave her," declared Alfred emphatically. "I am going
away."

A faint hope lit Jimmy's round childlike face. With Alfred away there
would be no further investigation of the luncheon incident.

"That might be a good idea," he said.

"It's THE idea," said Alfred; "most of my business is in Detroit anyhow.
I'm going to make that my headquarters and stay there."

Jimmy was almost smiling.

"As for Zoie," continued Alfred, "she can stay right here and go as far
as she likes."

"Not with me," thought Jimmy.

"But," shrieked Alfred, with renewed emphasis, "I'm going to find out
who the FELLOW is. I'll have THAT satisfaction!"