"
Mr. Dowling's face was suddenly illuminated.
"Grantham House!" he exclaimed. "Precisely! Now I declare that
it had absolutely slipped my memory for the moment--only for the
moment, mind--that we have just had placed upon our books one of
the most desirable mansions in the west end of London. A most
valued client, too, one whom we are most anxious to oblige. Dear,
dear me! It is very fortunate--very fortunate indeed that I
happened to think of it, especially as it seems that no one had
had the sense to place it upon my list. Tavernake, get the plans
at once and show them to--er--to Mrs. Gardner."
Tavernake crossed the room in silence, opened a drawer, and
returned with a stiff roll of papers, which he spread carefully
out in front of this unexpected client. She spoke then for the
first time since he had entered the room. Her voice was low and
marvelously sweet. There was very little of the American accent
about it, but something in the intonation, especially toward the
end of her sentences, was just a trifle un-English.
"Where is this Grantham House?" she inquired.
"Within a stone's throw of Grosvenor Square," Tavernake answered,
briskly. "It is really one of the most central spots in the west
end. If you will allow me!"
For the next few minutes he was very fluent indeed. With pencil
in hand, he explained the plans, dwelt on the advantages of the
location, and from the very reserve of his praise created an
impression that the house he was describing was the one
absolutely perfect domicile in the whole of London.
Pages:
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63