XXII
WHEN Ken returned to New York, he visited Leon Shaw's ornate office in the Yerkes Building. The pudgy agent squinted at him and asked him to close the door.
"It's about time you came in to see me," he complained. "Don't you want to go back to work?"
"As a matter of necessity only," Ken said. "I'm nearly broke."
Leon rubbed his nose with his forefinger.
"Howard Vee asked me to make up a contract for you several weeks ago."
"I won't take it," Ken said firmly.
Leon was startled. "Why not?" he demanded. "Weren't you happy in 'Sweeter Than Sweet'?"
"Too happy …"
"I can't get you seven fifty any other place."
"I won't take it," Ken persisted.
The agent's desk 'phone buzzed. He listened. "Show him in," he said. He faced Ken and grinned broadly.
"We'll see," he grunted. "We'll see." Then he looked up, past Ken's shoulder. The door was being opened. "I sent for Howard right after you called me this morning. He told me to watch out for you."
Ken heard steps. Howard stood beside him. Flickering bitterness was revealed in the arch of Howard's lips as he placed a hand on Ken's shoulder.
"You didn't write," Howard said. "I decided you would
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