What a pity, the women whispered, that such an astonishing person was not a professional, who could be paid in cash! As it was, she would expect to be rewarded with invitations: and though she was presentable, "You know, my dear, she's frightfully pretty, the red-haired sort, that's the most dangerous—not a bit safe to have about one's men. Still—no price is too high. We shall all be fighting for her—or over her."
And before the evening had come to an end the Countess de Santiago had had several invitations for town and country houses. To be sure, they were rather informal. But the beautiful lady knew when to be lenient, and so she accepted them all.
"She told me that our stolen things are hidden away for ever, and that we'll be robbed again," Connie said to her husband on the way back to Valley House.
"She told me the same," said Dick. "And I hope to goodness we may be. We've done jolly well out of that last affair!"
"Yes," his wife agreed. "The only thing I don't like about it is the mystery. It makes me feel as if something might be hanging over one's head."
"Over the trustees' heads!" laughed Lord Annesley-Seton. "I wish the other night could be what the Countess called the 'first of a series.'"
"The first of a series!" Constance repeated. "What a queer expression! What was she talking about?"
"She was—looking in her crystal," answered Dick, slowly, as if something he had seen rose again before his eyes.
Constance was pricked with curiosity. "You might tell me what the woman said!" she exclaimed.
"You haven't told me what message she had for you."