The clerk gave me a stony stare and went away like a centenarian climbing a steep flight of stairs.

Bradley lit his pipe and stared down at his ink-stained fingers. He breathed gently.

“Still sticking your nose into the Crosbys’ affairs?” he asked, without looking at me.

“Still doing it,” I said shortly.

He shook his head.

“You young and ambitious guys never learn, do you? I heard MacGraw and Hartsell called on you the other night.”

“They did. Maureen Crosby showed up and rescued me. How do you like that?”

He gave a little grin.

“I’d’ve liked to have been there. Was she the one who hit MacGraw?”

“Yeah.”