Page:Levenson - Butterfly Man.djvu/172

170 Theatre. When he was in his dressing-room he opened the jewel case. It contained a sparkling blue white diamond. Beneath the gem was a card; in microscopic script were words Ken deciphered with difficulty. He read: "Wear if and when you come to me in Boston. E."

To Ken's surprise, Howard did not appear at the theatre that night. Not until the last scene of the second act was he aware that his friend was inexplicably absent. After the performance he dressed hurriedly. Howard's car was not in its usual place under the marquee. As Ken stood on the pavement, watching chorus girls meet their johns, he was seized with a vague apprehension. Norah suddenly stood at his side.

"Waiting for some one, Kennie?"

"No."

She slipped an arm into the crook of his elbow. In a low voice she said: "Howard, I hear, left for Montreal this morning."

"Montreal? Why? Who told you?"

"I heard it out front."

Ken hurried into the lobby. The box office light still glowed, but the shutter was closed. Ken banged on it with his fist. Harry Berg, the treasurer, grumbled, "Who's there?"

"It's Gracey," he replied. "Open up." The shutter rose slowly. "Did Mr. Vee go away?"

"He left on an afternoon train. Said it was too hot here. He couldn't sleep well last night."

"I see—" said Ken.

"Buy me cakes and coffee," Norah said. "There's a dear."