It was exactly a quarter to eleven by the big oak clock in the hall when Tony re-entered his house. He shut the front door behind him, and walking across looked into the dining-room and study to see if Guy were still up. Both rooms were empty, and he was just on the point of going upstairs when the silence of the house was suddenly broken by the sharp, aggressive ringing of a bell.
It came from the telephone which hung beside the mantelpiece on the further side of the hall.
CHAPTER VIII
AFFAIRS IN LIVADIA
Tony retraced his steps and took down the receiver.
"Hullo!" he said.
"Hullo!" came back a silvery answer. "Is that you, Tony?"
"It is. Who's speaking?"
"It's me."
"Really!" said Tony. "Which me? I know several with beautiful voices."