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 again. He hadn't an idea Avidon's was such a stylish place. Women with bare arms always made him feel uncomfortable anyhow.

'Have trouble with the car?' one of the men inquired pleasantly.

Felix glanced at him. He was dressed in cream-colored trousers with a crease that ran down to meet cream-colored shoes, a dark blue coat, and a burnt-orange tie. 'I'll say so!' again he answered, and then conscious of the contrast between himself and the man who had just addressed him, 'Gee! Sheilah,' he burst out, 'I'm so hot and sweaty, I guess I better go wash up.'

'Yes,' she agreed pleasantly, 'dinner is nearly ready. We must hurry.' She turned away with him.

Roger, who hadn't said a word, nor stirred, till now, suddenly stepped forward, and with half a dozen short, rapid strokes of his hand, brushed off the bar across Sheilah's shoulders. She looked around at him inquiringly. Their eyes met for a flickering instant.

'You were all over dust,' he said brusquely.

Inside the hotel Sheilah conducted Felix to the desk, and introduced him to the clerk in charge. The clerk swung the register around for Felix to sign.