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said, “This time will be different.“
    “We’ll see about that, won’t we?“
    “We will indeed. But I didn’t come by to discuss things I’m not going to get involved in. I wanted to ask you about the ball game. Are you going to be there?“
    Elaine smiled, dazzling Burns’s eyes. “I wouldn’t miss it.“
    “I was afraid you’d say that.“
    “What?“
    “I said, ’I’m glad you said that.’“
    “It didn’t sound that way to me.“
    “Well, that’s what it was. I’m looking forward to getting out there and slapping the old pill around.“
    “The old pill?“
    “That’s what we pros call the ball. The old pill.“
    “Oh.“
    “It might rain,“ Burns said, having just thought of the possibility. “In that case, the game will be canceled.“
    “You sound as if that might not be a bad idea.“
    It wouldn’t, at that. The more Burns thought about it, the better he liked it. Not only would he be spared almost certain humiliation, he might even be spared a double hernia. Or was that a single hernia on a double play?   Not that it mattered. Neither alternative appealed to him in the least.
    “I wouldn’t want it to rain,“ Burns lied. “I think it’s going to be a great game.“
    “I hope so. I hear that Dawn Melling is going to be the pitcher for the faculty.“
    Dawn was one of the school’s counselors, and her appearance reminded Burns of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Not that that was a bad thing.
    “Hard to believe, isn’t it?“ he said.
    “Because she’s a woman?“
    “Nope,“ Burns said. “We have several women on the team. Dorinda Edgely is our third baseman.“  
    And a lot better ballplayer than I am, for that matter, he thought.
    “It’s just that I wouldn’t want you to be engaging in sexist thinking.“ Elaine said. “I know you’re trying to improve, but you slip up every now and then.“
    “I know. But at least I’m trying. You have to give me credit for that.“
    “You do very well most of the time. And I’ll bet Dawn pitches a great game.“
    “I’m sure she will,“ Burns said. “Well, I’d better get over to the office. I might actually have a student drop by with a question.“
    “It was nice to see you,“ Elaine said, which made Burns feel slightly giddy.
     
    H e felt giddy all the way back to Old Main, and even during the stair climb, but all that changed as soon as he got back to his office. Bunni was working at the computer terminal with stern concentration, but she looked up when he entered.
    “Hi, Dr. Burns,“ she said, reaching for a piece of paper that was lying near the mouse pad. “Dr. Partridge asked me to give you this.“
    “What is it?“ Burns asked.
    “It’s a list,“ Bunni said. “The names of the people who were at her party.“
    “Oh,“ Burns said, feeling the bottom drop out of his stomach. “What a nice surprise.“

Chapter Eight
     
    “A re you OK, Dr. Burns?“ Bunni asked. “You look a little pale.“
    Burns took the sheet of paper from her and sat behind his desk.
    “I’m fine, thanks, Bunni . It’s just that I wasn’t expecting to get this list today.“   Or ever, for that matter. “When did Dr. Partridge give it to you?“
    Bunni turned back to the monitor. “Just a few minutes ago. She called and asked if you were in, and when I said that you weren’t, she asked if I could come pick up something for you.“
    “A few minutes ago?“  
    That would mean that Partridge had called long after having talked to Napier, who would have told her exactly how he felt about having Burns meddle in the murder case. But she’d sent him the list anyway.
    Ordinarily, Burns liked lists. He liked making them, and he liked reading them. However, the lists he liked weren’t as dangerous as the one he was holding. He much preferred lists of things like “The Ten Best Western Movies of All Time“ to lists of guests at a party where toy soldiers were stolen, especially when it seemed that the soldiers were now going