«Oh, she's all right,» said the Honourable Freddy, «and the old man's nothing to be ashamed of nowadays. He's self-made, of course, but he don't pretend to be anything else. No side. Toddles off to business on a 96 'bus every morning. “Can't make up my mind to taxis, my boy”, he says. “I had to look at every halfpenny when I was a young man, and I can't get out of the way of it now”. Though, if he's takin' his family out, nothing's too good. Rachel — that's the girl — always laughs at the old man's little economies.»
«I suppose they've sent for Lady Levy,» said Lord Peter.
«I suppose so,» agreed the other. «I'd better pop round and express sympathy or somethin', what? Wouldn't look well not to, d'you think? But it's deuced awkward. What am I to say?»
«I don't think it matters much what you say,» said Lord Peter, helpfully. «I should ask if you can do anything.»
«Thanks,» said the lover, «I will. Energetic young man. Count on me. Always at your service. Ring me up any time of the day or night. That's the line to take, don't you think?»
«That's the idea,» said Lord Peter.
* * *
Mr. John P. Milligan, the London representative of the great Milligan railroad and shipping company, was dictating code cables to his secretary in an office in Lombard Street, when a card was brought up to him, bearing the simple legend:
LORD PETER WIMSEY
Marlborough Club