“You’re a sad flatterer, sir!” she smiled. “Believe me, had you seen me in the room to which they decoyed me with a false message from you, you would believe that I can look it—very well look it.”
“So that was the way of it!” Harleston exclaimed “Tell me about it, Mrs. Clephane. I was sure that you were a prisoner somewhere in this hotel; to find you every room was being inspected.”
“Why did you think I was a prisoner in the midst of all this gaiety?” she asked.
“Because I was lured by a message purporting to be from you to the ninth floor and garroted. I escaped. However, that is another story; yours first, my lady.”
“You too!” she marvelled.
He nodded. “And now we are sitting together at dinner, looking at the crowd, and you’re about to tell me your story.”
“Thanks to you for having escaped and rescued me!” Mrs. Clephane exclaimed.
“The management devised the way.”
“But you prompted it—you are the one I have to thank.”
“If you insist, far be it from me to decline! It’s well worth anything I can do to—have you look at me as you’re looking now.”