"But," said the Count with a frosty smile, "I am not the Emperor of Germany."
"Better let me make an appointment for you to see him at his office. It's just around the corner." There was a pleading note in the speaker's voice.
"You might save your face, Calvert, by saying that the Count will be pleased to have him take tea with him at the Ritz," suggested King.
"Tea!" exclaimed Calvert scornfully. "Blithers, doesn't drink the stuff."
"It's a figure of speech," said King patiently.
"All right, I'll telephone," said the other dubiously.
He came back a few minutes later with a triumphant look in his eye.
"Blithers says to tell Count Quinnox he'll see him to-morrow morning at half-past eight at his office. Sorry he's engaged this afternoon."
"But did you say I wanted him to have tea with us!" demanded the Count, an angry flush leaping to his cheek.
"I did. I'm merely repeating what he said in reply. Half-past eight, at his office, Count. Those were his words."