Max Blake looked away from the window. “Yes,” he said. There was something in his face, but Adam could not read it. It was new. “I’m launching a rather large project,” he said. “A book. It will require extensive research, and the most elaborate sort of organization. It will also, by reason of this, require a collaborator. I’ve decided you’re as good as anyone else for the job.”

Adam stopped combing his hair.

“Well,” Blake said gruffly, “are you interested, or aren’t you?”

“Interested? Of course,” Adam said. “I mean, my God, it’s a hell of an honor, and I certainly appreciate—”

“Then pack your bag.” Blake pulled up his sleeve and studied his wrist watch. “I should like us to be on our way within a half hour. There’s a plane from Farragut at 12:40.”

“Hey, hold on, Max! Wait a second.”

“I have no time for waiting,” Blake said, “particularly in such dismal surroundings. Either you wish to collaborate with me on a book, or you do not. If you do, then you will stop sputtering and mooning about in front of that mirror, pack at once and accompany me to New York. If the prospect of sharing a name credit with Max Blake doesn’t interest you, on the other hand, then—”

“Max, didn’t you get my letters?”

“I did.”

“Well, I mean—you read them, didn’t you?”

The stubby man kept pushing at his ring. “Yes, yes,” he said.

“Then you ought to know, you ought to understand—I can’t go with you to New York. I can’t go anywhere, not right now.”

“Nonsense!” Blake’s voice was loud and angry. “I took you for an adult, Cramer. Surely you don’t suppose that what you are doing here has the remotest importance!”

Adam stepped back, recoiled as though physically struck. “You’re joking, aren’t you, Max?” he said slowly.

Blake stared for a moment, then, in a somewhat altered tone, said: “Well, perhaps a bit. I have an obsession with rudeness, as you know. Polite people always seem to wind up in unholy ground.” For the first time, he smiled. “Anyway, I thought you’d become adjusted to my manners.”

Adam relaxed slightly. “I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s just been a while, I guess. And I have been working like a bastard.”

“I know,” Blake said, and the smile vanished.

“But, it’s been going beautifully. They’ve accepted me here, and integration has been stopped; at least for the time being.” Adam adjusted his coat. “Max,” he said finally, because the question had been burning inside him, “aren’t you going to congratulate me?”

Blake glanced away.

“I mean, it’s—the whole thing’s perfect, really. Exactly as we discussed it. I think I’ve been doing an excellent job.” He paused, waited, waited hungrily for the crooked grin and the gruff words.