Jake Grafton repeated when his wife went into the study to give him the news.

Jake Grafton just nodded and looked slowly around the room.

Jake Grafton went to the window and stood looking out.

Jake Grafton rose from the chair and started for the door.

Jake Grafton walked out of the room, looking for a phone.

Jake Grafton didn't have to think that over very long.

Jake Grafton had his thing and he was hard at it.

Jake Grafton picked up the phone and called the chairman's office.

Jake Grafton wrote the word on the pad in front of him.

Jake Grafton forced himself to look up into the man's face.