“Did Miss Odell tell you to say that?” “No, Mr. Smull told me she couldn’t talk to nobody just now.” “Call up Mr. Smull again and tell him Mr. Annan wishes to speak to Miss Odell at once!” “I don’t like to--all right, hold it again----” Annan waited. Suddenly Smull’s voice: “Annan?” “Yes.” “Sorry, but the little lady can’t be interrupted just now----” “Yes, she can. She isn’t working. Tell her to come to the wire!” “There’s a business conference----” “Will you kindly say to her that I wish to speak to----” “Sorry,” interrupted Smull, and hung up in his ear. Annan picked up his hat, descended the stairs, and went out. About five minutes after he left the house his telephone rang. Mrs. Sniffen answered it, and recognised the voice of Eris inquiring for Annan. “I’ll see if he’s in, Miss----” “Did he call me a few minutes ago, Mrs. Sniffen?” “I couldn’t say, Miss; I was in the kitchen. I’ll see if he’s in his study----” She returned in a moment to say that Mr. Annan was not in. “Thank you,” came the girl’s hasty voice. * * * * * Eris hung up the receiver of the telephone in the directors’ office at the studio, where Smull stood. “Now will you believe me?” he demanded. “I heard you ask if it were Mr. Annan,” she said. “I could hear perfectly well from my dressing-room.” “I thought Flynn said it was Annan and I asked,” insisted Smull, “but it turned out to be a _Herald_ man who wanted copy. So now if you’ll listen to me, Eris----” “I have already tried to make you understand that I have no interest in anything you say----” “For God’s sake, be charitable and overlook what a man says and does when he’s drunk----” “I don’t think you were----” “I was, I tell you! I carry it that way. I turn ugly. When I get a few highballs in me I’m a different kind of man.... Look here, Eris, if you’ll be a sport and call it off, I’ll give you my word, as long as you and I are friends, never to touch a drop of anything!” “I wish you would let me alone,” she said in a colourless voice. “I don’t know how you knew I was here----” “I told Flynn to notify me as soon as you arrived----” “That was insolent of you----” “Good heavens, Eris, I couldn’t let things stand as they were, could I? The memory of my beastly behaviour to you was driving me crazy. Anyhow, you’ve a cheque coming to you and I had to get at the books----” “That is Mr. Creevy’s business.... I didn’t come here for that, either. I came to gather up my personal belongings----” “Listen, Eris. After all, I’ve given you your chance, haven’t I? I’ve backed you with real money. Except for that one break last night I’ve played square, haven’t I? All right. Are you going to quit me cold?” “I’ve got to----” “You’re going to put this outfit on the bum? You’re going to walk out on us?” “You told me I was out.”