His mother was not to be at home that evening, and Condy dined at his club in the hopes of finding some one with whom he could go to the theatre later on in the evening.

Sargeant joined him over his coffee and cigarette, but declined to go with him to the theatre.
"Another game on to-night ?" asked Condy.
"I suppose so," admitted the other.
"I guess I'll join you to-night," said Condy.

"I've had the blue devils since morning, and I've got to have something to drive them off." "Don't let me urge you, you know," returned Sargeant.
"Oh, that's all right!" Condy assured him.

"My time's about up, anyways." An hour later, just as he, Sargeant, and the other men of their "set" were in the act of going upstairs to the card-rooms, a hall-boy gave Condy a note, at that moment brought by a messenger, who was waiting for an answer.

It was from Blix.