“Is that all?”

“Practically.”

“And the other reports?”

Average Jones ran them swiftly over. “About the same. Hold on! Here’s a little something extra in the Universal.”

“Found on the floor... bell-boy who discovered the tragedy collapses... condition serious... Supposedly shock—”

“What’s that?” interrupted young Mr. McIntyre, half rising. “Shot?”

“You’re nervous, Tommy. I didn’t say ‘shot.’ Said ‘shock’.”

“Oh, of course. Shock—the bell-boy, it means.”

“See here; first thing you know you’ll be getting me interested. Hadn’t you better open up or shut up?”

Mr. McIntyre took a long breath and a resolution simultaneously.