lled
'Maria's.' Best Italian food in captivity. I'm through at five. What
about you?"

She didn't have to say anything. Her eyes told him he would be having
an Italian dinner that night. And not alone. She rose and walked in
front of his desk.

"I'm so glad we have something in common, Mr. Payne. I can't think well
on an empty stomach either."

After walking her to the outer office he came back to his desk. He took
a deep breath and loosened his tie. Dreams like Miss Ralston didn't
materialize every day. For a first meeting he figured he hadn't fared
too badly at all. And if this first date went well he was sure he'd be
seeing a lot of this girl.

It did not escape Harry's mind that here was a girl who was in the habit
of getting what she wanted. But why not? Her powers of persuasion were
Grade-A. They were so good they presented him with one big problem. He
had regulations. Army regulations. He couldn't violate them. Miss
Ralston, it was obvious, was going to meet him solely for the purpose of
getting a client a job. Would he be able to see her again after she knew
he had no intention of hiring that client?

* * * * *

The following morning Harry entered the office to find his secretary
unusually busy. She was pecking away furiously at the typewriter.

He handed her a sheet of paper and said, "Miss Conway, copy these names
and addresses and when they ..."

"When they come in you'll see them at half-hour intervals." She smiled
benignly. "Miss Ralston just called and told me. Pretty smart chick,
huh, boss?"

Harry did a slow burn and ambled into his office. Miss Conway was right,
of course, and that's what annoyed him. It had been quite a night. He
wined and dined her. They did all the bright spots. And, wonder of
wonders, on the first date they wound up at Paula Ralston's apartment.
She was a captivating hostess, an exquisite dancer and something of a
sorceress. After one kiss, an unforgettable one, Harry had agreed to
interview her seven clients.

But all this was last night, Harry reminded himself. Today was a
different matter. He was in the sanctity of his office now and capable
of clearer thinking. Paula Ralston had accomplished the first phase of
her mission. The next move was his. _Seeing_ the clients, he
rationalized, was not violating the regulations. And for the moment it
satisfied her.

She certainly was a determined girl. Anyone would think, watching her
operate,