and passed a hand wearily over his eyes.

"I have a headache," he shouted. "Don't think I'd better play to-night."

"You've been working too hard," Aunt Mary retorted. "Nothing like a good
game of checkers for relaxation."

Dickie was already on her way for the board. As she passed Gregory he
saw that her eyes were sparkling.

"That's right, Jack," she called back. "Leave it to Aunt Mary to
prescribe for your headache. She knows."

As McCoy drew up to the board Gregory noticed that he was attired in
close-fitting clothes of ultra-fashionable cut. As he saw McCoy look him
over he became ill at ease and moved his chair farther from the light.
Dickie sensed his embarrassment and noting that neither man appeared to
enjoy himself, strove to make her guests feel more at home. Both men she
knew were vitally interested in the operation of the cannery. And
Gregory, at her request, had brought up the balance-sheet. A discussion
of business affairs would relieve the situation and at the same time
rescue McCoy from Aunt Mary's checker-board. The rapid termination of
the first game gave her a chance to interrupt.

"I asked Mr. Gregory to bring up a business statement to-night, Aunt
Mary; you'd like to see it, wouldn't you? I know Jack would."

Miss Lang nodded and promptly laid aside the board.

"Very much," she answered. "I've always been interested in that business
and I understand this young man is making it pay."

McCoy heaved a sigh of relief to learn it was merely business which had
brought Gregory to see Dickie Lang.

At the girl's reference to the object of his errand, Gregory unbuttoned
his coat and delved into his pocket for the paper. He must have put it
in his vest. Again his fingers failed to find the missing document. He
became conscious of a prickly sensation creeping slowly over his flesh.
Where had he left that darned paper anyway? Suddenly he remembered. In
his mortification over his attire he had left the statement lying on his
dresser. He looked up to meet all eyes fixed expectantly upon him. Then
he leaned back in his chair and tried to smile.

"I guess the joke's on me," he said. "I came away in such a hurry I
forgot it."

Dickie laughed at his discomfiture until the tears shone in her eyes,
while McCoy regarded his employer with suspicion. Aunt Mary finished
polishing her spectacles and settled back to listen.

"I'm all ready to hear it," she announced. "Perhaps you had better come
nearer so you