I walked in and Alma Hunter closed the door. I couldn’t see Bleatie anywhere. The bathroom door was closed. I could hear voices coming from behind the door.

“What’s the trouble?” I asked.

“You went away and didn’t tell anyone where you were going,” Sandra Birks said. “You had that original summons and the copy for service, and Morgan has been in there for an hour. He came in just a few minutes after you left. Of all the dumb, bonehead tricks—”

“Where is he now?” I asked.

“He’s still there,—I hope.”

“Where’s your brother?”

“He had a hemorrhage. His broken nose started to bleed back into his mouth, and I telephoned for the doctor. It may be serious. He and the doctor are in the bathroom.”

Bertha Cool said, “You evidently started something, Donald. Mrs. Birks telephoned me to try and find where you were. Why don’t you keep in touch with the office?”

“Because you told me you didn’t want reports. You wanted the papers served,” I said. “If I’m let alone long enough, I’ll serve them. I’m sorry you were disturbed. It’s what I get for trying to be polite and letting Mrs. Birks know what is going on. I wasn’t in favor of her and her brother coming up here in the first place.”

“That’s all nonsense,” Sandra Birks said coldly. “You’re trying to dodge responsibility by putting the blame on us.”

“I’m not putting the blame on anyone,” I said. “If your brother’s having a hemorrhage in the bathroom, I’m going to change into this bellboy suit in the closet. I suggest you try keeping your back turned.”

Sandra Birks said, “The papers. We want those papers. My God, we’ve been telephoning frantically—”

“Keep your shirt on,” I said. “I’m supposed to serve these papers, and I’m going to. Do you know that it’s Morgan in there?”

“Yes, you can hear his voice through the bathroom door.”

I glanced across at Bertha Cool. “How long have you been here?” I asked.

“About ten minutes,” she said. “My God, you’d have thought the place was on fire, the way they’ve been burning up the wire. If Morgan Birks gets away from you, Donald, I’m going to be very angry about it.”

I didn’t say anything. I went in the closet, unwrapped the costume, got out of my clothes, and put on my bellboy’s uniform. There was no light in the closet so I left the door ajar to see to make the change. Through the open door, I could hear what was taking place in the other room. I heard Alma Hunter say, “I think you’re unjust, Sandra. He had to use his best judgment, didn’t he?”