7
A little later, I had finished helping my father install himself in the late owner’s private room when he rang the bell.
“I want Julbo,” he said through the comm.
My mind had been on Miss Surcer’s disappearance and I was slightly disappointed that I would not be able to share my thoughts with my father about it, yet. I always found him to be a good sounding board for solving mysteries, but unfortunately, everything had been moving too fast for any reflection.
“Good morning, Julbo,” was my father’s cheerful greeting when the imperturbable maître d'hôtel arrived.
“Good morning, sir.”
“Take a chair.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“We have met before this morning, Julbo.”
“Yes, sir, at 3 a.m.”
“Rather strange about Miss Surcer’s departure, is it not?” I suggested.
“It is remarkable, ma’am.”
“You are aware, of course, that Mr. Ritzavoy has transferred all his interests in this cruiseshuttle to me?”
“I have been informed to that effect, sir.”
“I suppose you know everything that goes on in the cruiseshuttle, Julbo?”
“As the maître d’hôtel, sir, it is my business to keep a general eye on things.”
“You speak very well for a foreigner, Julbo,” I interjected.
“For a foreigner, ma’am! I am a Majritian, a Carpasiati man born and bred. Perhaps my name has misled you, ma’am. I am only called Julbo because the maître d’hôtel of any really high-class cruiseshuttle must have a foreign name.”
“I see,” I said. “Then, I think you must be rather a clever person, Julbo.”
“That is not for me to say, ma’am.”
“How long has the cruiseshuttle enjoyed the advantage of your services?” my father asked.
“A little over twenty years.”
“That is a long time to be in one place. Don’t you think it’s time you got out of the rut? You are still young, and might make a reputation for yourself in another and wider sphere.”
The two men stared at each other steadily.
“You aren’t satisfied with me, sir?”
“To be frank, Julbo, I think—I think you—er—wink too much,” my father said, shooting a glance at me. “And I think that it is regrettable when a maître d’hôtel falls into a habit of taking white ribbons from the handles of bedroom doors at three in the morning.”
Julbo started slightly.
“I see how it is, sir. You wish me to go, and one pretext, if I may use the term, is as good as another. Very well, I can’t say that I’m surprised. It sometimes happens that there is incompatibility of temper between a cruiseshuttle proprietor and his maître d’hôtel, and then, unless one of them goes, the cruiseshuttle is likely to suffer. I will go, Baron Raskelis. In fact, I had already thought of giving notice.”
My father smiled. “What wages do you require in lieu of notice? It is my intention that you leave the cruiseshuttle within an hour.”
“I require no wages in lieu of notice, sir. I would scorn to accept anything. And I will leave the cruiseshuttle in fifteen minutes.”
“Good-day, then. You have my good wishes and my admiration, so long as you keep out of my cruiseshuttle.” I was proud of the way my father remained firm but kind.
“Good-day, sir. And thank you,” Julbo said as he bowed and headed for the door.
“By the way, Julbo, it will be useless for you to apply to any other first-rate cruiseshuttle for a post because I shall take measures which will ensure the rejection of any such application.”
“Without discussing the question whether or not there aren’t at least half a dozen cruiseshuttles circling Majriti alone that would jump for joy at the chance of getting me,” answered Julbo, “I may tell you, sir, that I shall retire from my profession.”
“Really! It’s good to hear that you will turn your brains to a different channel,” my father smiled.
“No, sir. I shall take rooms in Albemarle Street or West Vernos, and just be content to be a man-about-town. I have saved some twenty ten-thousand-notes. I know that may be a mere trifle to you, but it is sufficient for my needs. I shall now proceed to enjoy it. Pardon me for troubling you with my personal affairs. And good-day again.”
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