At the moment when he stood wavering, it began to ring. He went to it hastily. Miss Charters was calling him...
"How lucky!" he said purposely. "I was just going out. I heard you from the hall."
"You know, I never realized until this morning what I had done," said the voice at the other end. "I was so upset by Mr. Lorraine's condition that I forgot you were there with Madame Fornez."
"Clever girl," he said to himself, smiling. Then aloud: "Oh, I explained matters."
"I was afraid I'd got you into trouble."
"No, indeed. Madame Fornez is a good sort; she understood at once."
"I'm so glad. You've 'phoned her already then?"
"Yes."
He remembered McKenna's suggestion, but he did not wish to make the demand direct.
"Something of a smash in Wall Street to-day," he said carelessly.