“I didn’t know he was here. Ask him to come in, will you?”
Mr. Superbus came, in his stately, senatorial fashion, and was introduced to Bobbie. It was obvious he sought a very private interview indeed, but Diana explained in what relationship Bobbie stood.
“I’m sorry to have missed Mr. Selsbury,” said Julius. “Information having come to me last night through my secret agent about a certain party.”
“You mean Double Dan?”
Diana reacted instantly. For the moment she hadn’t a care in the world.
“It’s no laughing matter, miss.” Mr. Superbus shook his head, and invited, with a wave of the hand, bent forward to see his feet and sat down slowly. “No, it isn’t any laughing matter, ma’am—miss. If he walked in at that door”—he pointed—“made up for the part, you’d think it was your father.”
Diana raised a protesting hand.
“May I explain, in passing, that Mr. Selsbury is not my father?”
Julius graciously indicated that she had his permission.
“Dan is wonderful! I was telling my good lady only this morning that, if she sees a fellow looking like me trying to get into the house when I’m supposed to be away, she must make him take his shirt off—I’ve got a lucky mole on my shoulder, miss—ma’am—miss. Why moles are supposed to be lucky I’ve never discovered.”