“Oh, trust me to make him drink!”
There appeared a note in this that convinced her. “It’s you, Mr. Crimble, who are ‘splendid’!”
“Well, I shall be—with my jolly wire!” And all on that scent again, “May I come back to you from the club with Pappendick’s news?” he asked.
“Why, rather, of course, come back!”
“Only not,” he debated, “till your father has left.”
Lady Grace considered too, but sharply decided. “Come when you have it. But tell me first,” she added, “one thing.” She hung fire a little while he waited, but she brought it out. “Was it you who got the ‘Journal’ to speak?”
“Ah, one scarcely ‘gets’ the ‘Journal’!”
“Who then gave them their ‘tip’?”
“About the Mantovano and its peril?” Well, he took a moment—but only not to say; in addition to which the butler had reappeared, entering from the lobby. “I’ll tell you,” he laughed, “when I come back!”
Gotch had his manner of announcement while the visitor was mounting the stairs. “Mr. Breckenridge Bender!”