ATT through the day he mechanically
went through his hair-dressing, singeing
and shampooing operations, divided be
! tween joy at the prospect of seeing his
[ adored Matilda again and anxiety re
j specting the cold marble swathed iu
1 the print wrapper which stood in a
j comer of his hair-cutting saloon.
He glanced at it every time he wnnt
past to charge a brush or heat a razor;
but there was no sign or movement
under the folds, and he gradually be
came reassured, especially as it excited
no remark.
But as evening drew on he felt that,
for the success of his experiment, it
was necessary that the cover should be
removed. It w*as dangerous, supposing
the Inspector were to come in unex
pectedly and recognize the statue, but
he could only trust to fortune for that,
and hoped that even if the detective
came he would be able to keep him in
the outer shop.
It was only for one evening, and it
was well worth the risk.
A foreign gentleman had come In,
and the hair-dresser found that a fresh
wrapper was required, which gave
the excuse he wanted for unveiling th
Aphrodite. He looked carefully at th*
face as he uncovered it, but could dis
cover no speculation as yet in the calm,
full gaze of the goddess.
