I looked at it affectionately. With Billy to back me up, I felt equal to tackling half a dozen Maurices, with a Guarez or two chucked in to keep them company.
It was true that by confiding in Billy I should, in word at least, be breaking my promise to Northcote, but this didn't weigh very heavily on my mind. All that eminent financier was really concerned about was my keeping up appearances before the world in general and his would-be assassins in particular. This I fully intended to do and if he didn't like my bringing in Billy to assist me, he would most decidedly have to lump it.
I made up my mind that I would drive down to Vauxhall Road directly my meeting at the Cannon Street Hotel was over. Meantime, I would wire to Billy telling him to be there to meet me.
Thoroughly cheered up by this happy inspiration, I paid my bill and told the waiter to order me a taxi. I was just leaving the restaurant when it suddenly occurred to me that I ought to telephone to Ritchie and find out how the unfortunate Milford was getting on.
There was a box in the hall, so I entered it and hunted up the doctor's number.
"Is that you, Ritchie?" I asked, in response to a curt "Hullo!"
"Yes," came the answer. "Who's speaking?"
"I'm Northcote," I said. "I wanted to know how Milford is."
"Oh, I'm glad you rang up. I'm happy to say he's much better. We've managed to get rid of the poison."
"Is he out of danger?" I asked.