And so it was that about half an hour later Laura was called to the telephone in the library.

“Oh, not coming home at all tonight?” she cried blankly in response to Jadwin’s message.

“It’s just impossible, old girl,” he answered.

“But why?” she insisted.

“Oh, business; this building and loan association of mine.”

“Oh, I know it can’t be that. Why don’t you let Mr. Gretry manage your⁠—”

But at this point Jadwin, the warning of Gretry still fresh in his mind, interrupted quickly:

“I must hang up now, Laura. Goodbye. I’ll see you tomorrow noon and explain it all to you. Goodbye.⁠ ⁠… Laura.⁠ ⁠… Hello!⁠ ⁠… Are you there yet?⁠ ⁠… Hello, hello!”