22

…you show me a man what strikes while the iron is hot and I’ll show you a man with a whole mess of third degree burns…

Monroe D. Underwood

I was reading the last page of “Revenge Flies a Silver Spad” when the telephone rang.

It was a gruff-voiced man who told me his name was D. L. Ambercrombie.

He said D. L. Ambercrombie of Ambercrombie and Jones.

I said oh yes.

I said the exterminators.

Ambercrombie said no you are thinking of Abrams and Brown.

He said you were recommended by one of your recent clients.

He said can you come up to Logan Square about four o’clock this afternoon?

He said it’s most important.

I said just a moment.

I said one of my secretaries is out on an errand.

I said I think the other one is in the can.

I said let me check the appointment book.

I finished “Revenge Flies a Silver Spad.”

I put the Eagles magazine away.

I picked up the phone.

I said Mr. Ambercrombie it looks like you’re in luck.

I said how’s four-thirty?

I said I’ll try to make it earlier but I’m all tied up on a big embezzlement case.

Ambercrombie said I understand.

He said four-thirty will be fine.

He gave me the address.

He said be careful.

He said this is very hush-hush.

He said don’t talk to anybody but Myrtle Culpepper.

He said she’s my receptionist and she’ll show you right in.