“Billy, I’ve found the place!”
There was no need for apology, since the disturber of his slumbers had brought to Billy Walker the news he most desired. Instantly, he was questioning.
“Quick! Tell me! How’d you find it! Where is it?”
Saxe laughed happily.
“I must give you one final lesson in music, to enable you to understand. It’s so simple! I can’t guess why I didn’t get it in a second.”
“The most obvious thing is often the most obscure,” came the oracular paradox.
“A hold in music,” Saxe explained, “is a mark which shows that a certain note is to be sounded for a time longer than is demanded by its value otherwise.”
“Well?” There was excitement in the harsh whisper.
“Wait until I’ve lighted the lamp,” Saxe said. In a moment it was done. “Now, take another glance at the gold song itself—not the chart.” He pulled the sheet from a pocket of the dressing-gown that he wore over his pajamas, and held it up before Billy’s face for inspection.