“We shan’t lose much on the transaction even then,” Thorndyke rejoined, “so we will leave it that I insert the advertisement in the most alluring terms that I can devise. If anything comes of it, you will hear before I shall.”
This brought the discussion to an end. If Rodney had any further ideas on the subject, he reserved them for the benefit of Margaret or Mr. Penfield, having reached the conclusion that Thorndyke was a pure specialist—and probably overrated at that—whose opinions and judgment on general law were not worth having. The conversation thus drifted into other channels, but with no great vivacity, for each of the four persons was occupied inwardly with the subject that had been outwardly dismissed.
Presently Varney, who had been showing signs of restlessness, began to collect his etchings in preparation for departure. Thereupon, Thorndyke also rose to make his farewell.
“I have had a most enjoyable evening, Mrs. Purcell,” he said as he shook his hostess’s hand. And he spoke quite sincerely. He had had an extremely enjoyable evening, and he hoped that the entertainment was even now not quite at an end. “May we hope that our plottings and schemings may not be entirely unfruitful?”
“You can hope as much as you like,” said Rodney, “if hopefulness is your specialty, but if anything comes of this plan of Varney’s, I shall be the most surprised man in London.”
“And I hope you will give the author of the plan all the credit he deserves,” said Thorndyke.
“He has got that now,” Rodney replied, with a grin.
“I doubt if he has,” retorted Thorndyke. “But we shall see. Are we walking the same way, Varney?”
“I think so,” replied Varney, who had already decided, for his own special reasons, that they were; in which he was in complete, though unconscious, agreement with Thorndyke.
“Rodney seems a bit cocksure,” the former remarked as they made their way towards the Brompton Road, “but it is no use taking things for granted. I think it quite possible that Purcell may be willing to cut his cable. At any rate it is reasonable to give him the chance.”