Mrs. Ascher was frankly excited when she heard that Von Richter had been in Ireland.
“Tell me,” she said, “all about Ireland. About the people, what they are saying and thinking.”
“We are all,” I said, “tremendously interested in Irish politics at present.”
“Alas!” said Von Richter, “and I can tell you nothing. My business was dull. I saw very little. I was in Dublin and Belfast, not in the picturesque and beautiful parts of that charming country. I was buying horses. Oh, there is no secret about it. I was buying horses for my Government.”
It is certainly possible to buy horses in Dublin and Belfast; but I was slightly surprised to hear that Von Richter had not been further afield. Any one who understood horse-buying in Ireland would have gone west to County Galway or south to County Cork.
The band showed signs of getting to the end of its tune. Von Richter laid his hand on the door of the box.
“Shall I see you to-morrow?” said Ascher.
“Unfortunately,” said Von Richter, “I leave London early to-morrow morning. Back to Berlin and the drill yard.” He kissed Mrs. Ascher’s hand again. “We poor soldiers have to work hard.”
“Perhaps,” I said, “you can join us at the Carlton after the play. Mr. and Mrs. Ascher have promised to have supper there with me. If you are not engaged———?”
I glanced at the lady in the stalls. I was not going to ask her to supper.