"Making trouble then, sir. Now it is no good, sir."
Mayo snorted angrily. He picked up the phone and jiggled the hook. There was no response.
"Well," said Mayo. "we won't have to use it tonight. I'll inform the telephone company in the morning. This rural service is terrible."
"That was a great trip," declared Stuart. "Fleming is a great pilot. This night flight was interesting. But I was lost the minute we got away from the field."
"I couldn't place myself, either," Mayo said. "Saw the lights of some cities, but that was all. I was sleepy. Nice trip, but I'm glad it wasn't longer. I prefer the day ride."
The clock above the fireplace chimed ten. Stuart glanced at his watch.
"The clock's fast, isn't it?" he asked.
Mayo looked at his own watch.
"So it is," he said. "Never fast before. I can't understand that. Were you tinkering with it, Louie?"
"Clock stopped," said the Filipino. "I set it and start it again."