"I said, 'they probably stopped along the way to do some carousing or to seek out illicit love', those philanderers!

"An excellent word, philanderer. I will have to write it down and use it in any future cases of this kind.

as an excuse to carouse "He was always using these conventions with his dissolute friends. But then, I don't have to tell YOU what goes on at conventions!"

"

"No, indeed, said Mr. de Facto fondly. "But since your late husband was a philanderer you are probably glad that he got his just desserts. His goose was finally cooked, though it might not be my place to say it.

H

"I hope the goose was well done."

"

"To a crisp said Mr. de Facto.

"Then you're sure it was my husband?"

"No doubt about it.

insurance.

"Insurance?"

Otherwise we couldn't pay you all the

"The company doesn't advertise its generosity but they carry quite a large accident benefit on their employees. You're going to be well off, Mrs. Plum." He pulled an envelope from his coat pocket.

"Oh," sighed the widow Plum feeling a sudden and delightful need for a lemon chiffon cocktail dress recently on display in a local shop

"You're going to have enough money to invest in a little bus- iness, said Mr. de Facto. "Perhaps a little grocery of your own.

"

"Not a grocery, said Mr. Plum. "Why, there's a thousand things. You'd hardly guess! But a little dress shop now--

#

"It looks like a lucky thing for the dress business that your husband is no longer in the grocery business, if you'll allow that," said Mr. de Facto. "I think you will be a success at whatever you try."

"Thank you,

#

said Mr. Plum.

"There is one other thing; I still have your husband's clothes.