"Yes. He explained that he had, but that he had been sent back to
buy some supplies."

"You believe he was telling the truth?"

"In an extensive experience with young men I have never known a more
truthful one than he."

"Between the first day of his coming back to New York and the last,
had you seen him?"

"I had talked with him over the telephone. He called up two or
three times to say that he was well and working hard and that he
hoped to be back in a few weeks."

"Where did he call up from?"

"As he did not volunteer the information, I am unable to say."

"Unfortunate again. Well, I think you may drop the notion of
suicide. If anything of importance occurs, please notify me at
once. Otherwise, I'll send you word when I have made progress."

Having dismissed the anxious pundit, Average Jones, so immersed in
thought as to be oblivious to outer things, made his way to the
Cosmic Club in a series of caroms from indignant pedestrian to
indignant pedestrian. There, as he had foreseen, he found Robert
Bertram.

"Can I detach you from your usual bridge game this evening?" he