"Will you grin for me just once?" he begged.
The small face went pluckily into lines of humour.
"Not a very nice grin, Tony."
"The best in the world," said he and hugged her close.
They passed out of the room together.
When Barraclough returned Mr. Torrington was leaning on his arm.
Nugent Cassis and Lord Almont Frayne followed in the rear.
"I was sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Torrington," he apologised.
"Waiting? No, no. We were early. My train arrived at Waterloo this morning one minute ahead of time. It has put me out all day." The old gentleman lowered himself by sections into an elbow chair. "Heard from Cranbourne?"
Barraclough shook his head.
"Never expected you would," said Cassis shortly. "The whole scheme was waste of time. We don't live in Ruritania where doubles walk about arm in arm. Cranbourne has a bee in his bonnet."