In the Best Families

Making no survey, I found a place at the long bar where two customers were carelessly leaving enough room for a guy to get an elbow through, and took the opening. After a while the bartender admitted I was there and let me buy a highball. I took a casual look around, saw Rackham at a table with a pair of males, turned my back that way, and got his range in the mirror.

I did not really expect a bite at the very first try; I thought it might take two or three exposures. But evidently he was ripe. I was in the middle of my second highball when my mirror view showed me the trio getting up and squeezing through the mob to the clear. I dropped my chin and looked at my thumb. They went on by, towards the door, and I turned to watch their manly backs. As soon as they were out I followed, and, on the sidewalk, immediately turned right, thinking to reconnoitre from the shop entrance next door. But I was still two paces from it when there was a voice at my elbow.

“Here I am, Goodwin.

I turned to face him, looking mildly startled. “Oh, hallo.

“What's the idea? he demanded.

“Which one? I asked politely. “There's so many around.

“There are indeed. You and three others that I know of. Who wants to know so much about me?

“Search me. I was sympathetic. “Why, are you being harassed?

Colour had started to show in his face, and the muscles of his jaw were called upon. His right shoulder twitched.

“Not here on the street, I suggested. “A crowd will collect, especially after I react. See that man turning to look? You're standing like Jack Dempsey.

He relaxed a little. “I think I know, he said.

“Good for you. Then I'm not needed.

“I want to have a talk with you.

“Go ahead.

“Not here. At my place-the Churchill.

“I think I have a free hour next Tuesday.

“Now. We'll go there now.

I shrugged. “Not together. You lead the way, and I'll tag along.

He turned and marched. I gave him twenty paces and then followed. It takes the strain off tailing a man to have a date with him, and since we had only a few blocks to go it would have been merely a pleasant little stroll if he hadn't been in such a hurry. I had to use my full stride to keep my distance. As we neared the Churchill I closed in a little, and when he entered an elevator I was there ready for the next one.