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           HowcouldIhavebeensuchaninny?"Hepulledtherazorbladesoutofthewall,onebyone,anddroppedthemontothewoodentable."Whydon’tyoushowmehowitshouldhavebeendone?"

           Mr.Vandemarnodded.Heputhiscentipedebackintoitsemptymarmaladejar.Thenheputhislefthandagainstthewall.Heraisedhisrightarm:hisknife,wickedandsharpandperfectlyweighted,wasinhisrighthand.Henarrowedhiseyes,andhethrew.Theknifeflewthroughtheairandthuddedintothedampplasterwallblade-first,thebladehavingfirsthitandpenetratedthebackofMr.Vandemar’shandonitsway.

           Atelephonebegantoring.

           Mr.VandemarlookedaroundatCroup,satisfied,hishandstillpinnedtothewall."That’showit’sdone,"hesaid.

           Therewasanoldtelephoneinthecorneroftheroom,anantique,two-parttelephone,unusedinthehospitalsincethe1920s,madeofwoodandBakelite.Mr,Crouppickeduptheearpiece,whichwasonalong,cloth-wrappedcord,andspokeintothemouthpiece,whichwasattachedtothebase."CroupandVandemar,"hesaid,smoothly,"theOldFirm.Obstaclesobliterated,nuisanceseradicated,bothersomelimbsremovedandtutelarydentistry."

           Thepersonattheotherendofthephonesaidsomething.Mr.Croupcringed.Mr.Vandemartuggedathislefthand.Itwasn’tcomingfree.

           "Oh.Yes,sir.Yes,indeed.AndmightIsayhowyourtelephonicconfabulationbrightensupandcheersourotherwisedrearyanduneventfulday?"Anotherpause."OfcourseI’llstoptoadyingandcrawling.