"Well," he said, "we’ve got to get those things he’s got. We’re all agreed on that. Understand?" "Yes?" "Yes—and it’s up to you, Judge." "Have you any course to suggest?" "No, we haven’t, and we don’t want to know anything about courses. That’s your job." As if Hallett were in the room, Stein bowed his white head to him. "Very well," he said, and hung up the receiver. He bent to the pink roses again, and again inhaled their cultivated fragrance. His face was not perplexed, but it was sad. "I am sorry," he seemed to be saying. "A nice young man. I am very sorry, indeed." He returned the telephone-receiver to his ear. "Miss Weston?" "Yes, Judge Stein?" "Thank you for getting that call so promptly. Now, will you please get me Mr. Titus?" "Mr. William Titus, or Titus & Titherington, the mercantile agency?" "Mr. Alexander Titus, of Titus & Titherington: the one that I was speaking to before I went out to luncheon." "Yes, Judge Stein. Just a minute." There was no long wait before Titus, who owed half of his business as a financial-agent to Stein and Stein’s chief employer, was in conversation with the Judge. "Have you secured that report yet?" asked Stein. "Which one, Judge?" "The one I asked you for at lunch-time." "It’s being typed now. I’ll send it over as soon as it’s finished." "I wish you would. Meantime, get the chief points from the man that looked into the matter and ’phone them to me." "All right, Judge." "Call me up. I have somebody to talk to while I’m waiting." The Judge rang off and then another time spoke to Miss Weston. "Is Mr. Irwin in his office?" Miss Weston said he was. "Then, please ask him to step in to see me for a moment." Mr. Irwin was a member of the Judge’s firm whose name did not appear upon its letter-heads, although he had been attached to it for more years than Mr. Perry or even the younger Mr. Falconridge. He was a little man with a gray Vandyck beard, pink cheeks, and twinkling blue eyes. In the fewest possible words, Stein gave him a description of the letters that were in Luke Huber’s possession. He did not say who wanted these letters, or why they were wanted, but he left no doubt about the urgency of the commission he was delivering. "It is rather a difficult assignment," he concluded, "but it must be done. There are great interests at stake." "I think I can manage it," said Irwin cheerfully. "I am afraid you will have to manage it," said the Judge. "I’ll simply tell my friend——" The Judge raised his hand and smiled. "No details, please," said he. "Very well," Irwin, still cheerful, agreed.