"Yes. But delay is rather a good sign," he said. "Did you tell Ena about the nursing home?"
"Yes; I did so yesterday."
"I've heard that Miss Propert's, out at Golder's Green, is quite a good place. Nobody connected with it has any knowledge of us."
"I told her that. And she agreed. She is rather afraid that some of Mrs. Morrison's friends may come up from Brighton, and she is in no way anxious to meet them."
"No! She mustn't do so!" declared Boyne. "She must take good care that no friends are at Lancaster Gate when she calls."
"Good! I'll tell her that over the 'phone presently."
"And also tell her not to take a too eager interest in her—I mean, no interest further than that of a comparatively freshly made friend," he said; and afterwards they went out to a theatre together.
Next morning, just before eleven, as Ena Pollen was contemplating speaking with Mrs. Morrison's hotel, the proprietor's wife rang up.
"Mrs. Pollen," she said, "I'm very sorry to give you bad news about your friend. Doctor Tressider has just been here, and says that she is suffering from diphtheria!"
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" cried the Red Widow. "How very unfortunate! Are any other friends there?"