"Ah! I had almost forgotten there was such a thing," he murmured.
"Where do they keep it?"
"You know. You aren't nearly so stupid as you pretend to be," she said, a little impatiently. "I should like you so much better if you would be frank with me."
"What about those qualifications for my ambassadorial career?" he reminded her—"Secrecy, subtlety, caution."
"The master of these," she whispered, rising to her feet in response to her hostess's signal, "knows when to abandon them—"
Lutchester changed his place to a vacant chair by James Van Teyl's side.
"I was going to ask you, Mr. Van Teyl," he inquired, "whether your Japanese servant was altogether a success? I think I shall have to get a temporary servant while I am over here."
"Nikasti was entirely Fischer's affair," Van Teyl replied, "and I can't say much about him as I have given up my share of the apartments at the Plaza. The fellow's all right, I dare say, but we hadn't the slightest use for a valet. The man on the floor's good enough for any one."
"By the bye," Lutchester inquired, "is Fischer still in New York?"
"No, he's in Washington," Van Teyl replied. "I believe he's expected back to-morrow…. Say, can I ask you a question?"
Lutchester almost imperceptibly drew his chair a little closer.