Just the manner of the man startled Anthony and caused him to hitch back in his chair and stare for an instant. Johnson Boller was not so affected.
"Say, what's the matter with you, Hitchin?" he asked. "Are you a plain nut?"
Hitchin snapped his fingers at him angrily and continued his stare at Anthony Fry.
"Well?" he said tensely.
"Well, upon my soul, Hitchin!" Anthony stammered. "I believe Boller's right!"
"Oh, no, you don't," Hobart Hitchin said quietly. "You know a great deal better and Boller knows a great deal better, but he has a good deal more self-control than you have. Fry, where is David Prentiss?"
"Gone home, of course!" Anthony snapped.
"When did he go?"
"What? Last night!"
"And can you give me an idea of the hour?"