"I'm cheating you in the exchange, but my conscience doesn't hurt me
in the least," accepted Loring with alacrity.

"I've never been in your car, Ashley," insinuated Gresham. "You
might invite me to try it out too."

"At five-thirty to-morrow evening," Ashley coolly advised him. "I'd
be very glad to have you come along now; but the car is engaged for
a strictly private demonstration."

Since the others were prepared to guy him unmercifully if he
persisted, Gresham hinted no more and, very much to his discomfort,
saw Loring gaily drive away with Constance.

On Riverside Drive, Loring spent the first fifteen minutes in
extolling the virtues of his car and Constance listened with patient
attention; but during the first convenient silence she surprised
Loring with a bit of crisp business talk.

"Would you mind telling me the history of Mr. Gamble's partnership
with Mr. Collaton?" she asked.

"I guess I heard what you said," he returned doubtfully, and he
looked at her in astonishment. "Of course you know that Johnny is a
client of mine."

"I know that he is a friend of yours also," she reminded him.

"On that basis I'll tell you anything you want to know," laughed
Loring. "Johnny was doing an excellent business in real estate