“Oh, why didn’t you tell me over the phone? My favorite actress! How exciting! Poor thing—mobbed by your fans. Of course you may use the patio. I will give you the key to open your French windows. Any time.”

Miraculously the chain was off the door. It opened halfway and then stopped. Miss Crump was staring at me with a return of suspicion.

“You are Miss Duluth’s husband?”

“Mrs. Duluth’s husband,” I corrected her. “Lieutenant Duluth.”

She still peered. “I mean, you have proof?”

I was beyond being surprised by Miss Crump. I fumbled from my wallet a dog-eared snapshot of Iris and me in full wedding regalia outside the church. Miss Crump studied it carefully and then returned it.

“You must please excuse me. What a sweet bride! It’s just that I can’t be too careful—for Poppy.”

“Poppy?” queried Iris. “The St. Bernard?”

Miss Crump nodded. “It is Poppy’s house, you see. Poppy pays the rent.”

“The dog,” said Iris faintly, “pays the rent?”

“Yes, my dear. Poppy is very well-to-do. She is hardly more than a puppy, but she is one of the richest dogs, I suppose, in the whole world.”

Although we entertained grave doubts as to Miss Crump’s sanity, we were soon in swimming suits and stepping through our open French windows into the sunshine of the patio. Miss Crump introduced us to Poppy.

In spite of our former prejudices, Poppy disarmed us immediately. She was just a big, bouncing, natural girl unspoiled by wealth. She greeted us with great thumps of her tail. She leaped up at Iris, dabbing at her cheek with a long, pink tongue. Later, when we had settled on striped mattresses under orange trees, she curled into a big clumsy ball at my side and laid her vast muzzle on my stomach.

“Look, she likes you.” Miss Crump was glowing. “Oh, I knew she would!”

Iris, luxuriating in the sunshine, asked the polite question. “Tell us about Poppy. How did she make her money?”

“Oh, she did not make it. She inherited it.” Miss Crump sat down on a white iron chair. “Mrs. Wilberframe was a very wealthy woman. She was devoted to Poppy.”

“And left her all her money?” I asked.

“Not quite all. There was a little nest egg for me. I was her companion, you see, for many years. But I am to look after Poppy. That is why I received the nest egg. Poppy pays me a generous salary too.” She fingered nondescript beads at her throat. “Mrs. Wilberframe was anxious for Poppy to have only the best and I am sure I try to do the right thing. Poppy has the master bedroom, of course. I take the little one in front. And then, if Poppy has steak for dinner, I have hamburger.” She stared intensely. “I would not have an easy moment if I felt that Poppy did not get the best.”