"I don't think much of it," Merriman answered sharply, while a wave
of unreasoning anger passed over him. The SUGGESTION annoyed him
unaccountably. The vision of Madeleine Coburn's clear, honest eyes
returned forcibly to his recollection. "I'm afraid you're out of
it this time. If you had seen Miss Coburn you would have known she
is not the sort of girl to lend herself to anything of that kind."

Hilliard eyed his friend narrowly and with some surprise, but he
only said:

"You think not? Well, perhaps you are right. You've seen her and
I haven't. But those two points are at least INTERESTING - the
changing of the numbers and the absence of a return trade."

"I don't believe there's anything in it."

"Probably you're right, but the idea interests me. I was going to
make a proposal, but I expect now you won't agree to it."

Merriman's momentary annoyance was subsiding.

"Let's hear it anyway, old man," he said in conciliatory tones.

"You get your holidays shortly, don't you?"

"Monday week. My partner is away now, but he'll be back on
Wednesday. I go next."

"I thought so. I'm going on mine next week - taking the motor