mine it--try
some experiments--something. He'll never think of the jolly rubies, you
know."

Billings looked at me oddly. "That's so," he agreed. "Still, I know I
won't sleep, thinking about those rubies." Then he looked up at the
ceiling again and muttered: "Wonder if the old boy _will_ have any
visitors to-night?"

I yawned. I knew it wasn't likely--not with _him_!

Billings rose. "Well, I'll get along over to the club, old chap. Now
mind, the car will call for you about nine. Then you are to pick me
up--that is, unless I should come over here. And, oh, say, Dicky!" He
turned back from the door where Jenkins waited with his hat and cane.
"Speaking of pajamas--er--what do you think of black ones--eh?"

By Jove, I got red--could just feel it, you know!

"Ever see a suit of black silk pajamas?" Billings chuckled.

Now for it! "I--I--never did," I managed to get out.

"Never heard of any myself before," Billings gurgled. "But great idea,
don't you think? Good thing, traveling--Pullmans, hotels--that sort of
thing--eh? Just got them to-day--ordered two weeks ago."

By Jove, what a relief! I felt myself breathing again.

"Wish you would stay," I said, for I felt uneasy about him.

"Oh, no," carelessly; "all my traps are over there, you know." He
smiled. "To say nothing of the new pajamas."

Standing in the door, he looked upward again, twirling his cane. His
head shook dubiously.

"Could kick myself about those rubies," he grumbled. "Just half a mind
to go up there--" He shrugged. "Oh, well, good night, old chap; see you
in the morning."

I murmured some reply as I followed him without. Then I stood a moment
looking down the shaft after he had descended.

"Hope he'll be all right in the morning," I mused. "And hope his
infernal mood won't shift round again as to Frances!"

CHAPTER XXI

THE COLLAPSE OF BILLINGS

"Are you _sure_, Mr. Lightnut?"

I stood, cap in hand, one foot on the sidewalk before the Kahoka, the
other on the running-board of the car--a big double-tonneau red whale
sort of affair. This was as far as I had been admitted to the vehicle.

For the frump was sitting there behind the steering wheel, looking down
at me in a nasty, sidewise fashion. Ever have them do you that way?
Besides, I somehow felt that she had a feeling toward me as a man, an
unvoiced protest against my existence at all. It found expression in her
suspicious, sniffy manner. Dash it, I just hated that woman fr