Silvia’s eyes and mine had met in speechless horror since she had mentioned the “writing woman.”
“Lucien!” Silvia now said in a tragic, hoarse whisper––“the Polydores!”
“Oh, do you know them?” asked Miss Frayne. “Dr. Felix Polydore, the eminent LL.D. or something like that.”
“The whole family are D’s,” I said.
“His wife is the highest of high-brows, and they are averse to interviews. They moved to a small city sometime ago to be secluded. Just think of my opportunity! I have them headlined! ‘The Haunted House of Hope Haven. Ghost that appears at midnight scientifically explained by the distinguished Dr. Felix Polydore.’”
“I think we are in luck,” I said to Silvia, on second thoughts. “We will take them home by the nape of the neck and deliver their children into their keeping to have and to hold.”
“I can’t turn Diogenes over to them,” she said plaintively.
“Diogenes!” repeated Miss Frayne in astonishment.