I hesitated, decided that maybe he could put me in a spot, jerked my head to the house.

“Then you’d better come in.”

We went into the house, and I showed him into the front room. He looked round, grunted, took up a position by the window. I sat in the easy chair, yawned, pulled my nose, said, “Shoot.”

“You married?” he asked abruptly.

I nodded. “What of it?”

“I’d like to meet your wife.”

I shook my head. “Not before you tell me what’s on your mind,” I said. “I’m particular whom she meets.”

His eyes snapped. “Scared to let me see her?” he barked.

I laughed at him. “You’re wasting time,” I said; “come off your high horse.”

The door opened and Clair came in. She was wearing a cute frilly apron over a simple little frock in sky blue. She looked a kid, and a pretty one at that.