Mabane, too, was for a moment sad and silent. His face fell into stern lines, but when he answered me his tone was steady and resolute enough.
"You are right, Arnold," he answered. "We had better go back to London and begin at once."
It was perhaps a little ominous that I should find waiting for me on our return a telegram from Grooten:
"I must see you to-night. Shall call at your rooms twelve o'clock."
CHAPTER IX
Isobel interrupted the discussion with an imperative little tap upon the table.
"Please listen, all of you!" she exclaimed. "I have something to say, and an invitation for you all."
We had been dining at a little Italian restaurant on our way home, and over our coffee had been considering how to spend the rest of the evening. Arthur had declared for a music hall; Mabane and I were indifferent. Isobel up to now had said nothing.
"All my life," she said slowly, "I have been wanting to see Feurgéres. He is in London for one week with Rejani, and if we can get seats I am going to take you all. I have twenty pounds in my pocket from that nice man Mr. Grooten, who bought my other miniature, and I want to spend some of it."