‘Are you quite mad?’
‘No, but I must get to London undiscovered, and, for certain reasons, with which I need not trouble you, that is absolutely the only possible way. You remember, at Oxford, I made up fairly well for female parts.’
‘Is there absolutely no other way?’
‘None, I have tried every conceivable plan, mentally. Mourning is best, and a veil.’
At this moment Mrs. Lumley’s cab was heard, returning from her party.
‘Run down and break it to Mrs. Lumley,’ said Merton. ‘Luckily we have often acted together.’
‘Luckily you are a favourite of hers,’ said Lumley.
In ten minutes the pair entered the study. Mrs. Lumley, a tall lady, as Merton had said, came in, laughing and blushing.
‘I shall drive with you myself to the train. My maid must be in the secret,’ she said.
‘She is an old acquaintance of mine,’ said Merton. ‘But I think you had better not come with me to the station. Nobody is likely to see me, leaving your house about nine, with my veil down. But, if any one does see me, he must take me for you.’