CHAPTER V
Sir Joseph was staring at the new-comer, and his German nativity told him what Marie Louise had not been sure of, that von Gröner was no German. When Verrinder gave him an English name it shook Marie Louise with a new dismay. Sir Joseph turned from the man to Marie Louise and demanded:
“Marie Louise, you ditt not theenk this man is a Cherman?”
This one more shame crushed Marie Louise. She dropped into a chair, appealing feebly to the man she had retrieved:
“Your name is not von Gröner?”
Bickford grinned. “Well, in a manner of speakin’. You might say it’s my pen-name. Not that I’ve ever been in the pen––except with Nicky.”
“Nicky is in the–– He’s not ill?”
“Well, he’s a bit sick. He was a bit seasick to start with, and when we gave him the collar––well, he doesn’t like his room.”