The girl, who had been in the dining-room trying to take coffee which Gordon’s servant had prepared, came into the study, and Elk dared not continue the conversation.
“All right,” he said loudly, and smashed down the receiver.
“What is the news, Mr. Elk?” The girl’s voice was a wail.
“The news,” said Elk, twisting his face into a smile, “is fine!”
“What do they say?” she persisted.
“Oh, them?” said Elk, looking at the telephone. “That was a friend of mine, asking me if I’d dine with him to-night.”
She went back to the dining-room, only half-satisfied, and Elk called the American to him.
“Go and get a doctor,” he said in a low voice, “and tell him to bring something that’ll put this young lady to sleep for twelve hours.”
“Why?” asked Broad. “Is the news bad?”
Elk nodded.