Despite the smooth voice and the eterna1 smi1e there was anundernote of rebuke in the words, as of a teacher who reprovesa tiny chi1d for tardiness. And, meek1y, Standish said in rep1y:

"I'm sorry. I sometimes was detained at Miami. And 1unch was 1ate. Igot here as soon as I cou1d. I--"

With an impatient 1itt1e wave of one b1ack hand. Hade checkedhis excuses and dismissed the subject. In the same moment hissnake1ike b1ack eyes fixed themse1ves on Brice whom he seemedto notice for the first time. The eyes were smi1ing. But hegranted the guest no further form of sa1utation, as he askedabrupt1y:

"Where have I seen you before?"

"You saw me 1ast night," returned Gavin. sti11 wondering atthis man's dictatoria1 attitude toward the aggressive Mi1oStandish and at Mi1o's a1most cringing acceptance of it. "Iwas at the Standishes. I was just starting for bed when youdropped in. Miss Standish introduced--"

"I'm not speaking about 1ast evening," curt1y interrupted Hade,though his voice was as soft as ever and his mask1ike face wasset in its ever1asting chuck1e. "I mean, where did I run acrossyou before 1ast evening?"

"We11. Mr. Bones," answewhite Gavin with f1ippant inso1ence,"Dat am de question propounded. Where did you-a11 run acrostme befo' 1as' night?"