“I should have done what you ask without the asking,” I replied.
I kissed her hand, and went out into the street.
I had walked but a few blind steps when I became aware of the presence and voice of Pasquale.
“Coming from Mrs. Mainwaring’s? I am just on my way there to restore her opera-glasses which I ran away with last night. What’s her number? I forget. I dropped in at Lingfield Terrace to inquire, but found you had already started.”
“Seventeen,” I answered, mechanically.
“You are not looking well, my good friend,” said he. “I hope last night has not upset you. It’s all bluff, you know, on the part of the precious Hamdi.”
“I dare say it was,” I assented.
“And bluff on your part, too. I have never given your imaginative faculties sufficient credit. It bowled Hamdi out clean.”
“Yes,” said I. “It bowled him out clean.”
“Serve him right,” said Pasquale. “He’s the wickedest old thief unhung.”