"Yes, I just dropped in for a minute," Wallace explained, and he made no effort to conceal the indifference of his tone. "I don't feel very fit this afternoon, so you must excuse me. Good evening, Craige," and he turned abruptly and left them. "Of all uncivil people!" observed Mrs. Parsons, much incensed. "That's the last invitation he gets to my house." "He doesn't look well," Craige remarked thoughtfully. "I presume he and Kitty Baird have had another quarrel." "Well, he has no right to vent his ill-humor on me or my guests." Mrs. Parsons was not pacified. "I hope Kitty decides to marry Ted Rogers and not Leigh Wallace." Craige looked grave. "It would be a far more suitable match, although I understand Rodgers is not wealthy." "Mr. Rodgers was here a moment ago." Mrs. Parsons raised her lorgnette and glanced about her. "He asked particularly for Kitty. Where in the world is she? She was to pour tea for me this afternoon." "Have you not heard--" "Heard?" Attracted by the alteration in Craige's voice, Mrs. Parsons looked at him. "Heard what?" "That Kitty's aunt, Miss Susan Baird, was found dead this morning--" "Great heavens!" Mrs. Parsons retreated a step in shocked surprise. "Oh, Mrs. Sutherland, so glad to see you. You know Mr. Craige, of course." As the newcomer and the lawyer exchanged greetings, Mrs. Parsons saw Nina Potter and started toward her, but several guests claimed her attention and when she looked around Nina had vanished. The room which served Benjamin Potter as a combination workshop and library was at the other end of the apartment which the elderly naturalist had leased upon his marriage to Nina Underwood six months before. The apartment house, one of those erected to meet the demands for housing wealthy war-workers who thronged the national Capital during the winter of 1917-1918, had but one apartment to each floor, and Potter had been gratified by having the best room, from his point of view, set aside for his exclusive use by his bride. Mrs. Potter had also seen to it that the furniture was of the finest mahogany, the filing and specimen cases of the most approved models, while the leather-seated chairs and lounges added greatly to the comfort of the occupants of the room. No expense had been spared and for the first time in his hard-working, studious life, Ben Potter had found himself surrounded with every comfort which money could purchase. Potter's marriage to his pretty stenographer had been a severe shock to several impecunious relatives and a nine days' wonder to his small world. He had taken the surprised comments and sometimes belated congratulations of both relatives and friends with the same placid good nature which characterized all his actions. Nina, with a tact for which she had not been credited, went out of her way to cultivate his friends, and if she felt the chilly reception accorded her, never by word or manner betrayed the fact.