d.

A portable telephone stood on a commode beside Mr. Skinner's bed, so the
latter answered immediately. Comrade Peck watched Skinner listen
attentively for fully two minutes, then heard him say:

"Mr. Ricks, I'm terribly sorry. I'd love to do this errand for you, but
really I'm under the weather. In fact, I'm in bed as I speak to you now.
But Mr. Peck is here with me and I'm sure he'll be very happy to attend
to the matter for you."

"By all means," Bill Peck hastened to assure the general manager. "Who
does Mr. Ricks want killed and where will he have the body delivered?"

"Hah-hah! Hah-Hah!" Mr. Skinner had a singularly annoying, mirthless
laugh, as if he begrudged himself such an unheard-of indulgence. "Mr.
Peck says," he informed Cappy, "that he'll be delighted to attend to the
matter for you. He wants to know whom you want killed and where you wish
the body delivered. Hah-hah! Hah! Peck, Mr. Ricks will speak to you."

Bill Peck took the telephone. "Good afternoon, Mr. Ricks."

"Hello, old soldier. What are you doing this afternoon?"

"Nothing--after I conclude my conference with Mr. Skinner. By the way,
he has just given me a most handsome boost in salary, for which I am
most appreciative. I feel, however, despite Mr. Skinner's graciousness,
that you have put in a kind word for me with him, and I want to thank
you--"

"Tut, tut. Not a peep out of you, sir. Not a peep. You get nothing for
nothing from Skinner or me. However, in view of the fact that you're
feeling kindly toward me this afternoon, I wish you'd do a little errand
for me. I can't send a boy and I hate to make a messenger out of
you--er--ah--ahem! That is har-umph-h-h--!"

"I have no false pride, Mr. Ricks."

"Thank you, Bill. Glad you feel that way about it. Bill, I was prowling
around town this forenoon, after church, and down in a store on Sutter
Street, between Stockton and Powell Street, on the right hand side as
you face Market Street, I saw a blue vase in a window. I have a weakness
for vases, Bill. I'm a sharp on them, too. Now, this vase I saw isn't
very expensive as vases go--in fact, I wouldn't buy it for my
collection--but one of the finest and sweetest ladies of my acquaintance
has the mate to that blue vase I saw in the window, and I know she'd be
prouder than Punch if she had two of them--one for each side of her
drawing room mantel, understand?

"Now, I'm leaving from the Southern Pacific depot at eight o'clock
tonight, bo