"Milford," I said, "I don't know how things are here, but do you think, if we rung up Harrod's or Gunter's or someone, that you could manage a little dinner for three at, say, eight o'clock? Miss Solano and Mr. Logan have been through the whole business with me, and we want to celebrate its success."
A smile of professional pride stole across Milford's face. "Certainly, sir," he replied, with a bow. "Everything shall be ready at eight o'clock; you may rely on that, sir."
"You're staying here, of course, Billy," I said, as Milford disappeared.
"Rather," said Billy. "You don't suppose I'm going to leave you now you've got fifty thousand? I'll just run down in a cab to my old digs, and fetch my traps before dinner."
"Right you are, Billy," I laughed. "And you might send the wire to Lady Tregattock at the same time."
* * * * * * * * *
We are standing in the very room where, ten days before, that midnight bullet had so nearly ended my adventures.
"Mercia," I said, "my own sweet Mercia," and taking her hands, I drew them up on to my shoulders, and gazed down into her dear, upturned face.
I think she guessed what was in my mind, for she looked round at the curtain with a little shudder.
"Ah!" she whispered, "if I had killed you—"