She went over to the speaking tube and whistled down. “Who is it?” she asked.

Bertha Cool’s voice came booming up the speaking tube. “This is Bertha Cool. I want to see you right away!”

Claire Bushnell looked at me questioningly.

I said, “Wait a minute. Tell her you’re... No, that’s all right. Tell her to come up.”

Claire pushed the electric door release. “Now what do you do?” she asked. “Hide?”

I nodded. “I’ll be in the cupboard back of the wall-bed. Tell Bertha you haven’t seen me.”

“Okay,” she said.

I moved over to the door which concealed the wall-bed, pushed it open, stepped inside, and Claire Bushnell pushed the door to. I heard the latch click into place.

A few moments later I heard Bertha Cool’s voice. “Hello, Miss Bushnell.”

“Hello, Mrs. Cool. What brings you here?”