The girl looked at him curiously. Then—
"'Addock, too," she said. "An' that's easy, reelly, as fish goes. But there, I ain't got much use for any fish, 'cept salmon. Shall I say you're 'ere?"
"Yes, please, miss. I've no appointment."
"You're the firs', any way," was the comforting reply.
She left him standing.
The inspection to which during her absence Lyveden was subjected was only less trying than the open secrecy with which it was conducted. Heads were thrust into the passage to be withdrawn amid a paroxysm of giggling. Somebody was pushed into full view to retire precipitately amid an explosion of mirth. Preceded by stifled expressions of encouragement, a pert-looking lady's maid strolled leisurely past the newcomer, opened the back door, closed it, and returned as haughtily as she had gone. She was applauded ridiculously….
Anthony swore under his breath.
At last the parlour-maid reappeared, finger in mouth.
"Somethin' crool, this bone is," she vouchsafed. "Come on."
Anthony followed her gratefully upstairs and presently into a small withdrawing room upon the first floor.