Никогде

           Delightedto.Anhonor,and—whatdoweknow?Weknowthat—"Aninterruption;hepickedhisnose,reflectively,patiently,then:"No,wedon’tknowwheresheisatthisprecisemoment.Butwedon’thaveto.She’llbeatthemarkettonightand—"Hismouthtightened,and,"Wehavenointentionofviolatingtheirmarkettruce.Moreofwaitingtillshehasleftthemarketandscrobblingher..."Hewassilentthen,andlistened,noddingfromtimetotime.

           Mr.Vandemartriedtopulltheknifeoutofthewallwithhisfreehand,buttheknifewasstuckquitefast.

           "Thatmightbearranged,yes,"saidMr.Croup,intothemouthpiece."Imeanitwillbearranged.Ofcourse.Yes.Irealizethat.And,sir,perhapswecouldtalkabout—"Butthecallerhadhungup.Mr.Croupstaredattheearpieceforamoment,thenputitbackonitshook."Youthinkyou’resodamnedclever,"hewhispered.ThenhenoticedMr.Vandemar’spredicamentandsaid,"Stopthat."Heleanedover,pulledtheknifeoutofthewallandoutofthebackofMr.Vandemar’shand,andputitdownonthetable.

           Mr.Vandemarshookhislefthandandflexedthefingers,thenwipedthefragmentsofdampplasterfromhisknife-blade."Whowasthat?"

           "Ouremployer,"saidMr.Croup."Itseemstheotheroneisn’tgoingtoworkout.Notoldenough.It’sgoingtohavetobetheDoorfemale."

           "Sowearen’tallowedtokillheranymore?"

           "That,MisterVandemar,wouldbeabouttheshortandthelongofit,yes.Now,itseemsthatLittleMissDoorhasannouncedthatsheshallbehiringabodyguard.Atthemarket.Tonight."