I called up my office. I talked to Braile and learned that Ricori was recovering with astonishing rapidity. I
asked Braile to look after things the balance of the day, inventing a consultation to account for the
request. I had myself switched to Ricori's room. I had the nurse tell him that McCann was with me, that
we were making an investigation along a certain line, the results of which I would inform him on my
return, and that, unless Ricori objected, I wanted McCann to stay with me the balance of the afternoon.
Ricori sent back word that McCann should follow my orders as though they were his own. He wanted to
speak to me, but that I did not want. Pleading urgent haste, I rang off.
I ate an excellent and hearty lunch. I felt that it would help me hold tighter to the realities-or what I
thought were the realities-when I met this apparent mistress of illusions. McCann was oddly silent and
preoccupied.