CHAPTER XXII

VANCE OUTLINES A THEORY (_Thursday, June 20; 9 a.m._) Markham came to Vance’s apartment at promptly nine o’clock the next morning. He was in bad humor. “Now, see here, Vance,” he said, as soon as he was seated at the table; “I want to know what was the meaning of your parting words last night.” “Eat your melon, old dear,” said Vance. “It comes from northern Brazil, and is very delicious. But don’t devitalize its flavor with pepper or salt. An amazin’ practice, that,—though not as amazin’ as stu…