Page:Vance--The rass bowl.djvu/33

 "Maitland, of course."

"Been out of town and just got your note."

"Your beastly penchant for economy. It's not stamped; I presume you sent it round by hand of the future President of the United States whom you now employ as office-boy. And O'Hagan didn't forward it for that reason."

"Important, eh? I'm only in for the night"

"Then come and dine with me at the Primordial. I'll put the others off."

"Good enough. In an hour, then? Good-by."

Hanging up the receiver, Maitland waited a few moments ere again putting it to his ear. This time he called up Sherry's, asked for the head-waiter, and, requested that person to be kind enough to make his excuses to "Mr. Cressy and his party": he, Maitland, was detained upon a matter of moment, but would endeavor to join them at a later hour.