"If dat's dose stiffs come back--" began Mr. Jarvis, reaching for his revolver. "Stay your hand, Comrade Jarvis," said as a sharp knock sounded on the door. "I do not think it can be our late friends. Comrade Repetto's knowledge of the usages of polite society is too limited, I fancy, to prompt him to knock on doors. Come in." The door opened. It was not Mr. Repetto or his colleagues, but another old friend. No other, in fact, than Mr. Francis Parker, he who had come as an embassy from the man up top in the very beginning of affairs, and had departed, wrathful, mouthing declarations of war. As on his previous visit, he wore the dude suit, the shiny shoes, and the tall-shaped hat. "Welcome, Comrade Parker," said Psmith. "It is too long since we met. Comrade Jarvis I think you know. If I am right, that is to say, in supposing that it was you who approached him at an earlier stage in the proceedings with a view to engaging his sympathetic aid in the great work of putting Comrade Windsor and myself out of business. The gentleman on your left is Comrade Otto." Mr. Parker was looking at Bat in bewilderment. It was plain that he had not expected to find Psmith entertaining such company. "Did you come purely for friendly chit-chat, Comrade Parker," inquired Psmith, "or was there, woven into the social motives of your call, a desire to talk business of any kind?" "My business is private. I didn't expect a crowd." "Especially of ancient friends such as Comrade Jarvis. Well, well, you are breaking up a most interesting little symposium. Comrade Jarvis, I think I shall be forced to postpone our very entertaining discussion of fits in kittens till a more opportune moment. Meanwhile, as Comrade Parker wishes to talk over some private business--" Bat Jarvis rose. "I'll beat it," he said. "Reluctantly, I hope, Comrade Jarvis. As reluctantly as I hint that I would be alone. If I might drop in some time at your private residence?" "Sure," said Mr. Jarvis warmly. "Excellent. Well, for the present, good-bye. And many thanks for your invaluable co-operation." "Aw chee!" said Mr. Jarvis. "And now, Comrade Parker," said Psmith, when the door had closed, "let her rip. What can I do for you?" "You seem to be all to the merry with Bat Jarvis," observed Mr. Parker. "The phrase exactly expresses it, Comrade Parker. I am as a tortoiseshell kitten to him. But, touching your business?" Mr. Parker was silent for a moment. "See here," he said at last, "aren't you going to be good? Say, what's the use of keeping on at this fool game? Why not quit it before you get hurt?" Psmith smoothed his waistcoat reflectively. "I may be wrong, Comrade Parker," he said, "but it seems to me that the chances of my getting hurt are not so great as you appear to imagine. The person who is in danger of getting hurt seems to me to be the gentleman whose name is on that paper which is now in my possession." "Where is it?" demanded Mr. Parker quickly.