Day by day Lynton Hora had received the report of his spy, and thus he had learned what he had to fear. He had early taken an opportunity for enlisting Myra's aid to recall the wanderer when the opportunity should offer. But, though he had learned something, he was by no means satisfied with the information.
He wanted a more intimate knowledge of the progress of events, and, meeting the shadow-man by appointment, he harped again upon the desirability of the shadow being within the very same roof as the person to which it was attached.
The shadow from that moment transferred itself from master to man. It followed him on his errands. It gained his acquaintance. It proved itself a merry, affable shadow, indeed, with a pleasant fund of genial anecdote, a carelessness about the tightness of its purse-strings, so that James Under, whose one thought for the fortnight he had already been in Guy's service had been to escape the pursuing, remorseless alcohol fiend, welcomed the acquaintance as an ally. In his off-hours, and they were many, the temptation to Under to turn in to the nearest saloon bar had been almost irresistible; until he met with Jessel. After the meeting Cornelius proved an innocuous alternative. He did not appear anxious to cement the acquaintance with a drink. Under was glad when he met his new friend. They spent a whole Sunday afternoon in the park together, and nothing stronger than tea passed their lips. They went to a music-hall in company, and ginger beer was the innocuous refreshment which Jessel proposed. He was far too astute to hasten his plans until the fitting time. That arrived soon enough for his purpose.
One evening, when Jessel had arranged to meet his friend for a visit to the theatre, Under met him with the information that Guy required him to return to his chambers about ten. The evening was wet.
"It's no use thinking of the theatre," remarked Jessel to his companion, sheltering him with his umbrella, as they walked down Piccadilly towards the Circus. "We shall have to postpone our visit until another evening. But"—he stopped suddenly—"I tell you what, Under. Why shouldn't we be swells for once in our lives? I'm in funds to-night, and I just fancy myself dining at one of the tip-top restaurants."
"I don't think——" began Under, and paused. "My togs," he added expressively.
"The guvnor's got more than one suit, hasn't he?" asked Cornelius. "You will have plenty of time to change on your return."
The valet was tickled with the idea. "It would be a bit of all right," he murmured gleefully. "I've often thought I'd like to be one of themselves just to know what it felt like to be waited on instead of having to wait."
"Come along, then," said Cornelius impulsively. He wheeled his companion round, and hurried him back to Guy's chambers. But outside the door Under paused. "What about you?" he asked.
Cornelius laughed.