"I am not sure, but I think so. I found you fast asleep, at any rate."
"Why do you ask, dear?" said Mrs. Rohscheimer in growing anxiety.
"Just for a lark!" snapped her husband sourly. "I want to make Adeler laugh!"
Haredale, who, failing Rohscheimer or Mrs. Rohscheimer, did the honours of the house in Park Lane, returned from having conducted the Marquess to his car. He carried a first edition copy of the Gleaner.
"They've managed to get it in, even in this one," he said. "When did you send the cheque—early last evening?"
"Don't talk about it!" implored Rohscheimer.
"Why?" inquired Haredale curiously. "You must have seen your way to something big before you spent so much money. It was a great idea! You're certain of a knighthood, if not something bigger. But I wonder you kept it dark from me."
"Ah!" said Rohscheimer. "Do you?"
"Very much. It's a situation that calls for very delicate handling. Hitherto, because of certain mortgages, the Marquess has not prohibited his daughter visiting here, with the Oppners or Vignoles; but you've forced him, now, to recognise you in propria persona. He cannot very well withhold a title; but you'll have to release the mortgage gracefully."
"I'll do it gracefully," was the reply. "I'm gettin' plenty of practice at chuckin' fortunes away, and smilin'!"