"I'd rather not give it--except to Uncle James himself."

"Better write it," suggested Jack with a reminiscent laugh. "He's a
bit impetuous. I saw him throw a man down the stairs yesterday.
Picked the fellow up at the foot of the flight. He certainly looked as
though he'd like to murder our dear uncle."

"What I'd like to know is this," said Lane. "What sort of a reputation
has Uncle James in this way? Have you ever heard of his bein' in
anything of this sort before?"

"No, I haven't," James said promptly.

Jack shrugged. "I wouldn't pick nunky for exactly a moral man," he
said flippantly. "His idea of living is to grab all the easy things he
can."

"Where can I see him most easily? At his office?" asked Kirby.

"He drove down to Colorado Springs to-day on business. At least he
told me he was going. Don't know whether he expects to get back
to-night or not. He lives at the Paradox Apartments," Jack said.

"Prob'ly I'd better see him there rather than at his office."

"Hope you have a pleasant time with the old boy," Jack murmured.
"Don't think I'd care to be a champion of dames where he's concerned.
He's a damned cantankerous old brute. I'll say that for him."