"What for, doctor?"
"To oblige me, girl. I want to hold that fellow in his room a few days more and keep his arm in a sling. He's no easier to handle than a wildcat."
Kate looked perplexed: "What shall I say to him?"
Carpy stood at the door with his hand on the knob: "Jolly him along—you know how. He says he's coming down here for dinner tonight. Tell him Belle's sick."
Belle listened. The more Kate considered the mandate, the more confusing it seemed. But she rang up the hotel, called for Laramie and heard presently a man's voice in answer.
"Is this Mr. Laramie?" she asked.
"It is not," was the answer.
"Isn't he there?"
"No."
"Can you tell me when he will be in?"