“Yes,” said Martin, carefully closing the door behind him. “You find me in sole possession. My father and sister have gone to a reception—a semi-political affair at which they are compelled to put in an appearance. It only began at half-past nine. They will not be home till midnight. Mind those branches, Cartoner! You will come in, of course.”
And he hurried on again to open the next door.
“Thank you, for a few minutes,” answered Deulin, and seeing a movement of dissent on Cartoner's part, he laid his hand on his arm.
“It is better,” he said, in an undertone. “It will put them completely off the scent. There are sure to be more than two in it.”
So, reluctantly, Cartoner followed Martin into the Bukaty Palace for the first time.
“Come,” said the young prince, “into the drawing-room. I see they have left the lights on there.”
He pushed open the door of the long, bare room, and stood aside to allow his guests to pass.
“Holloa!” he exclaimed, an instant later, following them into the room.
At the far end of it, where two large folding-doors opened to the conservatory, half turning to see who came, stood Wanda. She had some flowers in her hand, which she had just taken from her dress.
“Back again already?” asked Martin, in surprise.