“It went all right, I think, Fred.”

“Yes,” he said absently. “Go on out, Alice. I'll let you come back in a few minutes.”

He waited until the door closed.

“What's the matter?” she asked rather indifferently. “If it's more quarreling in the company I don't want to hear it. I'm tired.” Then she took a full look at him, and sat up.

“Fred! What is it?”

He gave her the truth, brutally and at once.

“I think Judson Clark was in the house to-night.”

“I don't believe it.”

“Neither would I, if somebody told me,” he agreed sullenly. “I saw him. Don't you suppose I know him? And if you don't believe me, call Saunders. I got him out front. He knows.”

“You called Saunders!”