"Don't ask me, old man," he said.
"Who is the gentleman, Connie?" Dicky enquired.
"An admirer of mine," replied Mrs. Carmyle, with a gratified smile. "I met him in the train this morning."
"For the first time?"
"No--second. When I saw him I had an idea, so we arranged to meet again at twelve-thirty. He has another engagement, but he said it did n't matter when I asked him. After he has done what I want, he is coming to lunch, too. Now run and pack. Au revoir!"
Revelling in every turn of the highly complicated plot which she was weaving, little Mrs. Carmyle, followed by her inarticulate but inflated husband, pattered swiftly away round the corner--and incidentally out of this narrative--turning to wave a reassuring hand to her client before disappearing.
The Freak, puzzled but confident, went home to pack his portmanteau.
CHAPTER XXV
PURELY COMMERCIAL
I