CHAPTER XXXVI

AN ABORTIVE ATTEMPT

Immediately I arrived at my brother's hotel I rang up the hall-porter of the Milan and informed him of my whereabouts. Afterwards Ralph and I between us concocted a cable to Dicky, for which I was thankful that I had not to pay. I had now taken Ralph into my entire confidence, and I found that he took very much the same view of Delora's behavior as I did. This is what we said,—

Have seen Delora. Behavior very mysterious. Is living apart from

niece in secrecy. Seen several times with Chinese ambassador.

Offered me large bribe refrain cabling you till Thursday. Fear

something wrong.

"Do you think that you could give me a bed here to-night, Ralph?" I asked.