"I see. Then you decided to tell her nothing tonight. Rinderfeld wanted that?"
"Yes, if we didn't have to say anything."
"Then how about to-morrow?"
Billy started to reply and then went to his coat, from a pocket of which he extracted a sheet of paper covered with distinct, black handwriting.
"He wrote this out for you and me."
Gregg took it and read, in the legible flourishes which at each line recalled Felix Rinderfeld, these concise, practical instructions:
"For Willam Whittaker and Gregg Mowbry.
"Up to the occasion of the telephone call which reached Marjorie Hale and originated in Doctor Grantham's office, there is no need to correct your recollections.
"The occasion of the call was this: for many weeks Mr. Charles Hale had been aware of a soreness in his left side. Having consulted Doctor Grantham, he learned that there existed a pathological condition which might of itself subside but which might, on the other hand, suddenly become acute and endanger his life. He concealed this knowledge not only from his family but from his friends and business associates.
"His errand in the city last night, before the time he intended to take the train, was to consult Dr. Grantham, who examined him, discovered to his alarm that the condition had suddenly become acute and that an immediate and radical operation was necessary. Mr. Hale objected to this, wishing to avoid prolonged absence from his office at this difficult time; but upon Doctor Grantham pointing out that his life was in danger, he agreed to undergo an operation, provided the nature of it be kept secret. He believed that if it became known that a radical operation was performed,