She stepped into the car. The door clanged shut. Kirby was left
standing alone.




CHAPTER V

COUSINS MEET

With the aid of a tiny looking-glass a young woman was powdering her
nose. Lane interrupted her to ask if he might see Mr. Cunningham.

"Name, please?" she parroted pertly, and pressed a button in the
switchboard before her.

Presently she reached for the powder-puff again. "Says to come right
in. Door 't end o' the hall."

Kirby entered. A man sat at a desk telephoning. He was smooth-shaven
and rather heavy-set, a year or two beyond thirty, with thinning hair
on the top of his head. His eyes in repose were hard and chill. From
the conversation his visitor gathered that he was a captain in the Red
Cross drive that was on.

As he hung up the receiver the man rose, brisk and smiling, hand
outstretched. "Glad to meet you, Cousin Kirby. When did you reach
town? And how long are you going to stay?"

"Got in hour an' a half ago. How are you, James?"