“Oh, splendid!” cried Madge, clapping her hands.
“Mr. Camp will find that other people can give surprise parties as well as himself,” I said cheerfully.
“You’ll telegraph at once?” asked Mr. Cullen.
“Instantly,” I said, rising, and added, “Don’t you want to see what I say, Miss Cullen?”
“Of course I do,” she cried, jumping up eagerly.
Lord Ralles scowled as he said, “Yes; let’s see what Mr. Superintendent has to say.”
“You needn’t trouble yourself,” I remarked, but he followed us into the station. I was disgusted, but at the same time it seemed to me that he had come because he was jealous; and that wasn’t an unpleasant thought. Whatever his motive, he was a third party in the writing of that telegram, and had to stand by while Miss Cullen and I discussed and draughted it. I didn’t try to make it any too brief, not merely asking for a guard and when I might expect it, but giving as well a pretty full history of the case, which was hardly necessary.
“You’ll bankrupt yourself,” laughed Madge. “You must let us pay.”
“I’ll let you pay, Miss Cullen, if you want,” I offered. “How much is it, Welply?” I asked, shoving the blanks in to the operator.
“Nothin’ for a lady,” said Welply, grinning.