"I thought so!" said Frank Wolfe, the pet of the chorus-girls, laughing to himself. Remember his Latin! He? Haw!
"It is from his 'Cena Trimalchionis.' The _arbiter elegantiarum_ knew what social climbers might be expected to do, though I neither boast of my money nor do I eat with my knife. The Latin of the 'Cena' is difficult--too slangy, full of the _sermo plebeius_."
"Yes, it is," agreed Frank, so gravely that it was all he could do to keep from laughing at himself. This Klondiker was not only a gun-fighter and richer than Croesus, but also a highbrow! Could you beat it?
"Will you accept my offer? Will you try to be my friend?"
"I'll be sorry. The money is nothing. The inability to make a friend will be my real loss."
"Well, we might try six months." He looked inquiringly at Jerningham. "I don't exactly know what you wish me to do."
"Become my friend! You yourself said some things cannot be done for money by a gentleman; but there is nothing--so long as it is not dishonorable--that a gentleman may not do for a friend. Shall I explain a little more?" He looked anxiously at young Mr. Wolfe.
"Yes--do," said Frank. It occurred to him that this singular man was in reality proceeding with a curious delicacy.
"Just as soon as you feel you know me I will ask you to help me. Mrs. Deering is now abroad. Mrs. Welles may be of help to us. Mr. Wolfe, now that I am not so poor as I was, I want to find Naida Deering, the only woman I ever loved--and, God help me, the only woman I still love!"
Jerningham rose hastily and walked up and down the room, his face persistently turned away from Wolfe. He walked to a window and stared at the sky a long time. Finally he turned to the young man, who was watching him, and said, with profound conviction:
Young Mr. Wolfe at first felt like saying, "Yes, indeed!" which would, as a matter of fact, have been a very pat retort. But he weakened and said, "What is that quotation from?"
"Publilius Syrus. Mr. Wolfe, I must find her. And of course I can't employ a private detective. You understand?"
"In her youth something happened." Young Mr. Wolfe sat up straight. Here at last was something really vital! Jerningham proceeded: "She was a high-strung girl--pure as gold. Her very innocence made her indiscreet. There was no scandal--no, indeed! But she disappeared. And now, when I have more than enough money for the two of us, I wish to find her. If I don't--of what possible good are my millions? Tell me that!"