I continued to stare at him. He fidgeted under my glance.
“I hope, Sir Eustace, that you are not seriously annoyed?”
“My dear fellow,” I said, “I don’t mind telling you here and now that you’ve blinking well torn it!”
I went out seriously ruffled. As I passed the corner curio-shop, I was assailed by a sudden irresistible temptation and went in. The proprietor came forward obsequiously, rubbing his hands.
“Can I show you something? Furs, curios?”
“I want something quite out of the ordinary,” I said. “It’s for a special occasion. Will you show me what you’ve got?”
“Perhaps you will come into my back room? We have many specialties there?”
That is where I made a mistake. And I thought I was going to be so clever. I followed him through the swinging portières.
CHAPTER XXXII
(Anne’s Narrative Resumed)