I smiled as I rang the bell for the lift. So I might see my lady of the turquoises again.
CHAPTER XIX
WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS
Arrived in my room, I changed my dress-coat for a smoking-jacket, and my patent shoes for loose slippers. Then I suddenly discovered that I had no cigarettes. I glanced at the clock. It was only half-past ten. I had still half an hour to spare.
I locked up my room and descended by the lift to the entrance hall. My friend the hall-porter was standing behind his counter, doing nothing.
"I wish you would send a boy into the café," I said, "and ask Louis to send me a box of my cigarettes."
"With pleasure, sir," the man answered. "By the bye," he added, "Louis is not there himself, but I suppose any of the others would know the sort you smoke, sir?"
"Not there?" I answered, glancing at the clock. "Ah! I suppose it is a little early for him."