From a drawer in the table he drew forth a revolver which he laid on the top of the table.
“Good,” said Arrelsford, “while I want to handle this thing myself, I may call you. Be ready, that’s all.”
“Very well.”
“Obey any orders you may get, and send out all despatches unless I stop you.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And if you don’t mind, I don’t care to have all these messenger boys coming back here. I will order them to stop in the hall. If you have any messages for them, you can take them out there. I don’t want to have too many people in the room.”
“Very good, sir. Will you give the order to your orderly when he brings up the young lady?”
“Yes.”
Arrelsford stepped to the door, and Foray busied himself with the clicking instruments. After a few minutes’ conversation with the orderly, who had just returned, Arrelsford ushered Edith Varney into the room. With not even a glance at the operator in her intense preoccupation, the girl spoke directly to Arrelsford.
“I—I’ve accepted your invitation, you see.”