She
suddenly altered the manner of her speech. It was a strange
proposition, perhaps, but this was one of the strangest of men.
"I am quite willing to try it," she decided. "Will you tell me
where I can meet you later on?"
"I have an hour and a half for luncheon at one o'clock," he said.
"Meet me exactly at the southeast corner of Trafalgar Square.
Would you like a little money?" he added, rising.
"I have plenty, thank you," she answered.
He laid half-a-crown upon the table and made an entry in a small
memorandum book which he drew from his pocket.
"You had better keep this," he said, "in case you want it. I am
going to leave you alone here. You can find your way anywhere, I
am sure, and I am in a hurry. At one o'clock, remember. I hope
you will still be feeling better."
He put on his hat and went away without a backward glance.
Beatrice sat in her chair and watched him out of sight.
CHAPTER V
INTRODUCING Mrs. WENHAM GARDNER
A very distinguished client was engaging the attention of Mr.
Dowling, Senior, of Messrs. Dowling, Spence & Company,
auctioneers and estate agents, whose offices were situated in
Waterloo Place, Pall Mall. Mr. Dowling was a fussy little man of
between fifty and sixty years, who spent most of his time playing
golf, and who, although he studiously contrived to ignore the
fact, had long since lost touch with the details of his business.
Consequently, in the absence of Mr. Dowling, Junior, who had
developed a marked partiality for a certain bar in the locality,
Tavernake was hastily summoned to the rescue from another part of
the building, by a small boy violently out of breath.
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