her arm. "Who said anything about inconvenience?
Come in. Come in. That'll be all, Miss Conway. Thanks."

The secretary giggled and left. Miss Ralston sat down and lit a
cigarette. Harry noticed she was wearing a beige knit suit with a
neckline that spoke volumes. Every curve was in the right place. Every
movement had another movement all its own.

Harry knew she was bound to talk business and he knew there wasn't much
he could do for her in that direction. But at thirty-five, and eligible,
he just couldn't let this woman leave his office. Harry Payne was a
sucker for a gorgeous face. He knew it and he knew the gorgeous face
knew it.

"Tell me, Miss Ralston, when did my secretary arrange this appointment
for you?"

"I called yesterday."

Harry arched his eyebrows and smiled. "Yesterday? What prompted you to
call me?"

"You're looking for a laboratory technician, aren't you?"

"What gave you that idea?" he asked, not caring in the slightest what
gave it to her.

"I make it my business to comb the papers every day, Mr. Payne. I came
across the news of George Fisher's suicide and called you. Simple as
that."

"You don't waste any time."

She smiled and pursed her lips. "Do you?"

"I try not to."

"I have seven clients who would qualify for the job. I'd appreciate it
if you'd see them."

"Well, as a matter of fact, Miss Ralston ..."

She leaned forward with an inquisitive "Yes?"

Harry cleared his throat. "As a matter of fact I'm not supposed to do
business with civilian agencies."

"Mr. Payne," she smiled demurely, "do I look like an agency? Or do I
look like a Personnel Consultant?"

* * * * *

Now there was an opening, Harry thought, but it might be best to avoid
it. "You're working to get someone a job. It amounts to the same thing."

"I see. Then how _do_ you go about hiring your new personnel?"

"I do the soliciting myself. Sorry, Miss Ralston, but I don't make the
rules and regulations."

But the lady was undeterred. She crossed her legs and sank further into
the easy chair. Her eyes sparkled at Harry.

"These clients of mine are all top men, Mr. Payne. Why couldn't I just
leave you their names? You can still do the soliciting. I'd be happy to
forego my regular commission on this job. Call it the value of
prestige."

Harry recognized another opening and this time plunged in. "Suppose we
talk it over later. There's a place at Fourth Avenue and Woodward ca