"It's really very nice of you to
I come at such short notice,” he
said. When he had done laugh
11 mg he added: “Let Gaffen take
; your dressing-case. He'll see to
ail your luggage. Is your son with
you?”
"You bet he is! Mark!” She
shouted it over her shoulder, as
though she were still in Kings Mal
lard. When there came no re
sponse whatever from the heap of
rugs inside the sedan, he laughed
again.
me run nas oeen a bit long
[ for him, I daresay,” she offered by
i way of explanation. "P'rhaps
someone’ll ’elp him out?”
| At a nod from Armitage his ser
I rants approached the car and Ar
r.Jtage entered the house with the
lady. She was in her noisiest
mood. The introduction of Miss
Raoul had to be effected, fortis
simo, and, the actress’ face was
a study as she waited in vain for
a lull in which to express her
pieasure at the meeting. As for
the terriers, they scuttled up the
staircase and disappeared into the
peaceful upper regions of the
house.
‘ Got up with the early birds this
morin’,” enthused Mrs. Lodely. “Al
ways have to allow an extra hour
fo: Marl:, y’know, half an hour
for his lameness and half an
hour in case anythin’ iifl3cpected
happens to him!”
Armitage felt Gaften at his side.
"Mr. Lodely, sir, he doubts
whether he can venture to move
f:om the car without your assis
tance.” !
"Mine? Can’t Michfield and
Thomas tackle the weight between
them?"
“Easily, should have said, sir.
