CHAPTER XV
Tony returned to the Hotel du Lac, modestly, by the back way. He assured himself that his aunt and sister were well by means of an open window in the rear of the dining-room. The window was shaded by a clump of camellias, and he studied at his ease the back of Mrs. Eustace’s head and Nannie’s vivacious profile as she talked in fluent and execrable German to the two Alpinists who were, at the moment, the only other guests. Brotherly affection—and a humorous desire to create a sensation—prompted him to walk in and surprise them. But saner second thoughts prevailed; he decided to postpone the reunion until he should have changed from the picturesque costume of Tony to the soberer garb of Jerry Junior. He skirted the dining-room by a wide detour, and entered the courtyard at the side. Gustavo, who for the last hour and a half had been alertly watchful of four entrances at once, pounced upon him and drew him to a corner.
‘Signore,’ in a conspiratorial whisper, ‘zay are come, ze aunt and ze sister.’
‘I know—the Signorina Costantina told me so.’
Gustavo blinked.
‘But, signore, she does not know it.’
‘Yes, she does—she saw ’em herself.’
‘I mean, signore, she does not know zat you are ze brover?’
‘Oh, no, she doesn’t know that.’