"My dear, how do you think of these things?"
"The most divinely thrilling—"
"I was really petrified …"
The Countess Jannowicz wriggled dazedly free from the shrill jabber of compliments, managed somehow to snatch the Saint out of a circle of clamorous women of which Lady Instock was the most gushing leader. In a comparatively quiet corner of the room she faced him.
"You're a good organizer, Mr. Templar. The head-waiter tells me that Mr. Ullbaum telephoned this afternoon and told the staff how they were to behave during the holdup."
He was cheerfully appreciative.
"I must remember to thank him."
"Mr. Ullbaum did no such thing."
He smiled.
"Then he must have been impersonated. But the damage seems to be done."