``She says she has to finish a story.'' He shrugged. ``I asked her why she couldn't do it tomorrow, but it seems the muse is working good tonight and she's afraid to let it go.''

Casey made some comment, but his mind was busy as he considered the man. His name was George Needham and he, too, had come from a good family. He was perhaps thirty-two, nicely set up, with light brown hair that had a pronounced wave. He was always well groomed and well tailored, and he had that rich man's look which was authentic enough and came from two good prep schools and a proper university. An only child, he had done all the things that young men do who have been born to money and social position until his father double-crossed him by dying broke. Since then he had worked at this and that, though some said his main interest was gambling.

All this went through Casey's mind in the first instant, but what held his interest was the fact that these two should be together at all. For he had understood that Betty had been engaged to a boy named Barry Jenkins. She had grown up with young Jenkins, and he had heard that they had been at the point of getting married at least twice. He wanted to ask her about Jenkins now, but he knew he couldn't do so in Needham's presence. And so, still wondering and a little perplexed, he grinned at the girl and spoke lightly to make sure that she would know he was kidding.