“In general build that fellow looks a lot like the man I chased from Sam Davis’ place!” Flash thought excitedly. “His manner of talking fits in with the description, too. Just for the fun of it, I’ll find out who he is!”
Flash hastily took his final picture without attracting the attention of diners inside the restaurant. He then crept back to the open window and was helped through.
“Did you get what you were after?” asked the bellboy.
“I think so,” answered Flash, taking a coin from his pocket. “Thanks for your trouble.”
The boy locked the bedroom door behind them, and they went out into the hall.
“I notice the café is on this floor,” remarked Flash carelessly. “I believe I’ll drop around there for a bite to eat.”
Without question the bellboy accepted his explanation and went away. Left alone, camera strap over his shoulder, Flash drifted down the hall to the doorway of the restaurant. Unobserved for a moment, he stood there watching. The three men who had drawn his attention were still seated at their table near the window.
The head waiter came over to where Flash stood, “How many in your party, sir?”
“No party,” said Flash, tapping his camera case. “I’m just looking over the situation.”
“Oh, a photographer,” the waiter murmured. “I suppose Mr. Hodges sent you to take publicity pictures?”
“May I set up my tripod wherever I like?” he asked.
“Yes, anywhere. Only try to keep the main aisle clear. Mr. Hodges will expect you to focus so that our new decorations will show up to advantage.”
Flash nodded, but actually he had no intention of wasting film upon the new murals of the Green Room.
He followed the head waiter into the café, taking care not to glance toward the three strangers. The room quieted down as heads turned and all eyes focused curiously upon him. In his most professional manner, Flash set up his tripod and trained the lens of his camera toward the orchestra.
All the while, out of the corner of his eye, he was estimating the distance to the window table. He saw that the three men were hurrying through their dinners, watching him alertly. He would need to act quickly if he obtained the picture he was after.
Suddenly pretending to change his mind, he turned the camera so that it focused directly upon the three men.