He lit his cigarette and drew in the fragrant smoke with apparent gusto.

But a moment later he had crushed out the glowing end in an ash tray.
"By the way, has Miss Van Gorder a revolver ?" he queried casually, glancing at his wrist watch.
"Yes--she fired it off this afternoon to see if it would work." Dale smiled at the memory.
The Doctor, too, seemed amused.

"If she tries to shoot anything--for goodness' sake stand behind her!" he advised.

He glanced at the wrist watch again.

"Well--I must be going--" "If anything happens," said Dale slowly, "I shall telephone you at once." Her words seemed to disturb the Doctor slightly--but only for a second.
He grew even more urbane.
"I'll be home shortly after midnight," he said.