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pushed the note into his pocket, where it seemed to weigh heavily, with a weight amazing in such a flimsy thing.

Later, when Pink had departed, he took it out and slapped it thoughtfully against the palm of his hand. He could not have explained why, but he was loath to open it. "When did this come?" he asked.

"Found it when I got back from track," said Bones. He gesticulated with a hairbrush. "For criminy's sake, Jock, tell that female to lay off! How can you expect the chatter to pipe down as long as she calls up on the 'phone and sends you notes by special messenger?"

"Calls up? Did she call this afternoon?"

"Only seven times," said Bones testily. "I met Benny coming in and he told me to tell you. He said her 'Is Mis-tah Hamill theah yet' had worn bunions on his ear-drums."

Jock heard with rising irritation. Just like Eunice! That was his thought. So exactly like her to intrude herself now, and cloud the radiance of his horizon. She had a genius for ineptitude, for striking the discordant note, that girl. . . . He ripped open the envelope with the stem of his pipe and read, scowling.

"What's she want?" interrogated Bones.

"Wants to see me about something."

"Tell her to go to hell, you can't give her any time."

"She says it's very urgent——"

"Yah!" jeered Bones. "Louder! And funnier! Yah, I'll bet it's urgent. You take my advice, and tell her——"

Jock cut him off. "Can't," he said simply. "I'll have to drop over after dinner and see what the trouble is. Least I can do. After all, Bones, she's Brad's widow, and she's terribly alone."

"You're so all-fired conscienticus, you give me a