Bertha Cool got the idea and said, “For God’s sake, Donald!”

I didn’t say anything until I had completed a search of the office. I said, “I don’t see any. Which doesn’t mean there isn’t any. You have to be careful, particularly of that.” I pointed towards the telephone.

Dr. Alftmont started to get up, then sat down again. He seemed completely overwhelmed by the turn of events. I said to Bertha, “Have you concluded your business?”

“Yes,” she said, and then added, with a smile, “quite satisfactorily so far as we’re concerned, Donald.”

“Finished with everything you had to say?”

“Yes,” she said.

“All right,” I told her. “Let’s go.”

Dr. Alftmont said, “I’m afraid I don’t quite understand.”

“I’ll be back in about ten minutes, Doctor,” I said. “Would you mind waiting?”

“Why — no, I guess not.”