I tried to work, but work was out of the question for me that morning. I went for a walk, and on my return sat down with my paper. Among the items in its cable news was the following:
Whitfield Norris and his family are at the Grand Hotel in Rome. His daughter, Miss Gwendolyn, whose beauty and wealth, as well as her amiable disposition, have attracted many suitors, is said to be engaged to the young Count Carola.
What I said to myself is not one of the things which should appear in a book, and I wish only to suggest enough of it here to put me on record.
Soon after one o'clock I was called to the 'phone by my secretary, who had followed Muggs when he left my room. At the time I gave my man his orders I did not know, of course, how my interview would turn out, and so, with a lawyer's prudence, I had decided to keep track of Muggs. When he settled down or left the city my young man was to report, and so:
“Hello,” came his voice on the telephone.
“Hello! What news?” I asked.
“Our friend has just sailed on the Caronia for England.”
“All right,” I said, and then: “Hold on! Find out if there is a fast ship sailing to-night, and if so engage good quarters for two.”
I sat down to get my breath.
“How deft and wonderful!” I whispered. “It takes a good lawyer to keep up with him.”