I gasped and sank into the nearest chair.  Three weeks in which this gang of hoodlums must be fed, looked after and entertained.  I was helpless.  Radford, the superintendent, had gone for a lengthy visit to relatives in California.

“I hope you have their criminal records—­also a private detective to watch the silver,” I murmured weakly.

“No, I haven’t,” Jerry retorted.  “I’m not afraid of any of them.  It’s rather narrow, Roger, to think, just because a chap goes into pugilism as a business, that he isn’t straight.  You’ve taught me that one man is as good as another and now you’re—­you’re crawling.  That’s what you’re doing—­crawling.”

I was indeed, crawling, groveling.  I strove upward, but remained prostrate.

“How could you do such a thing, Jerry?” I remonstrated feebly.

He patted me on the back—­much, I think, as he would have patted Skookums in encouragement.

“Oh, be a good sport, Roger.  You can be when you want to, you know.  We won’t bother you.  We’ll be in the gym or on the road most of the day, and in bed at nine sharp.”

“What do you—­want me to do?” I stammered at last.

“Why nothing,” he said, his face brightening.  “Just to be Jerry Benham for awhile.  It isn’t such a lot to ask, is it?  Just make believe you’re pleased as punch to have ’em around—­come and watch me work” (he had the jargon at his tongue’s tip) “and show some interest in the proceedings.  You are interested, Roger.”

“I’m not.”

“You don’t want to see me licked, do you?”

I sighed.  The affair was out of my hands.

“What shall you want to eat?” I asked meekly.

“Oh, beefsteak, lots of it—­and other things.  Flynn will tell you.”  He folded his arms and gazed down at me contentedly.  “Thanks, old man,” he said gratefully.  “I knew you would.  It’s fine of you.  I won’t forget it.”

“Nor will I,” I said.  Jerry only laughed.  D—­n the boy.  It was rank tyranny.

Flynn and Sagorski were already down the stairs.  I eyed them malevolently, but rose and went to the kitchen to give the necessary orders.  There I found the force of servants in executive session and my appearance was the signal for immediate notice from the entire lot.  I hadn’t foreseen this difficulty which immediately assumed the proportions of a calamity.  They stated their objections, which may well be imagined, most respectfully but in no uncertain terms.  They could have endured Mr. Flynn, Mr. Carty and Mr. Sagorski, but they balked at Mr. Danny Monroe.  I had balked at him, too, but I didn’t tell them so.  The upstairs maids (we had chambermaids now) absolutely refused to consider any of my arguments in rebuttal and were already pinning on their hats, when Jerry, who had gotten wind of the mutiny from Christopher (poor Christopher!), came running and planting himself in their very midst, demolished their objections with a laugh and an offer of double wages.  They smiled at a joke he made, weakened, finally unpinned their hats and took up their aprons.  I have never in my experience seen such an example of the blandishment of wealth.