“Dick!” said Miss Van Tuyn, in a voice which startled Braybrooke.

“I don’t promise,” said the painter. “I don’t believe in promises, unless you break ‘em. But it’s just on the cards.”

“You are painting a blackmailer!” said Braybrooke, with an air of earnest interest. “How very original!”

“Original! Why is it original to paint a blackmailer?”

“Oh—well, one doesn’t often run across them. They—they seem to keep so much to themselves.”

“I don’t agree with you. If they did some people would be a good deal better off than they are now.”

“Ah, to be sure! That’s very true. I had never looked at it in that light.”

“What time, Dick?” said Miss Van Tuyn, rather eagerly.

“You might look in about three.”

“I will. That’s a bargain.”