'Oh, I know it's my own fault. I let myself in for this. There's Father dodging round that rhododendron. Hallo, Father.'
Lord Caterham approached with a hangdog expression.
'Lomax gone, eh?' he remarked with somewhat forced geniality.
'A nice business you let me in for,' said Bundle. 'George told me he had your full approval and sanction.'
'Well,' said Lord Caterham, 'what did you expect me to say? As a matter of fact, I didn't say that at all, or anything like it.'
'I didn't really think so,' said Bundle. 'I assumed that George had talked you into a corner and reduced you to such a state that you could only nod your head feebly.'
'That's very much what happened. How did he take it? Badly?'
'I didn't wait to see,' said Bundle. 'I'm afraid I was rather abrupt.'
'Oh well,' said Lord Caterham. 'Perhaps that was the best way. Thank goodness in the future Lomax won't always be running over as he has been in the habit of doing, worrying me about things. Everything is for the best they say. Have you seen my jigger anywhere?'
'A mashie shot or two would steady my nerves, I think,' said Bundle. 'I'll take you on for sixpence, Loraine.'
An hour passed very peacefully. The three returned to the house in a harmonious spirit.
A note lay on the hall table.
'Mr. Lomax left that for you, my lord,' explained Tredwell. 'He was much disappointed to find that you had gone out.'
Lord Caterham tore it open. He uttered a pained ejaculation and turned upon his daughter. Tredwell had retired.
'Really, Bundle, you might have made yourself clear, I think.'
'What do you mean?'
'Well, read this.'
Bundle took it and read:
'My Dear Caterham,
'I am sorry not to have had a word with you. I thought I made it clear that I wanted to see you again after my interview with Eileen. She, dear child, was evidently quite unaware of the feelings I entertained towards her. She was, I am afraid, much startled. I have no wish to hurry her in any way. Her girlish confusion was very charming, and I entertain an even higher regard for her, as I much appreciate her maidenly reserve. I must give her time to become accustomed to the idea. Her very confusion shows that she is not wholly indifferent to me and I have no doubts of my ultimate success.
'Believe me, dear Caterham,
'Your sincere friend,
'George Lomax.'
'Well,' said Bundle. 'Well, I'm damned!'
Words failed her.
'The man must be mad,' said Lord Caterham. 'No one could write those things about you, Bundle, unless they were slightly touched in the head. Poor chap, poor chap. But what persistence! I don't wonder he got into the Cabinet. It would serve him right if you did marry him, Bundle.'
The telephone rang and Bundle moved forward to answer it. In another minute George and his proposal were forgotten, and she was beckoning eagerly to Loraine. Lord Caterham went off to his own sanctum.
'It's Jimmy,' said Bundle. 'And he's tremendously excited about something.'
'Thank goodness I've caught you,' said Jimmy's voice. 'There's no time to be lost. Loraine's there, too?'
'Yes, she's here.'
'Well, look here, I haven't got time to explain everything – in fact, I can't through the telephone. But Bill has been round to see me with the most amazing story you ever heard. If it's true – well, if it's true, it's the biggest scoop of the century. Now, look here, this is what you've got to do. Come up to town at once, both of you. Garage the car somewhere and go straight to the Seven Dials Club. Do you think that when you get there you can get rid of that footman fellow?'
'Alfred? Rather. You leave that to me.'
'Good. Get rid of him and watch out for me and Bill. Don't show yourselves at the windows, but when we drive up, let us in at once. See?'
'Yes.'
'That's all right then. Oh, Bundle, don't let on that you're going up to town. Make some other excuse. Say you're taking Loraine home. How would that do?'
'Splendidly. I say, Jimmy, I'm thrilled to the core.'
'And you might as well make your will before starting.'
'Better and better. But I wish I knew what it was all about.'
'You will as soon as we meet. I'll tell you this much. We're going to get ready the hell of a surprise for No. 7!'
Bundle hung up the receiver and turned to Loraine, giving her a rapid resume of the conversation. Loraine rushed upstairs and hurriedly packed her suitcase, and Bundle put her head round her father's door.
'I'm taking Loraine home, Father.'
'Why? I had no idea she was going today.'
'They want her back,' said Bundle vaguely. 'Just telephoned. Bye-bye.'
'Here, Bundle, wait a minute. When will you be home?'
'Don't know. Expect me when you see me.'
With this unceremonious exit Bundle rushed upstairs, put a hat on, slipped into her fur coat and was ready to start. She had already ordered the Hispano to be brought round.
The journey to London was without adventure, except such as was habitually provided by Bundle's driving. They left the car at a garage and proceeded direct to the Seven Dials Club.
The door was opened to them by Alfred. Bundle pushed her way past him without ceremony and Loraine followed.
'Shut the door, Alfred,' said Bundle. 'Now, I've come here especially to do you a good turn. The police are after you.'
'Oh, my lady!'
Alfred turned chalk white.
'I've come to warn you because you did me a good turn the other night,' went on Bundle rapidly. 'There's a warrant out for Mr. Mosgorovsky, and the best thing you can do is to clear out of here as quick as you can. If you're not found here, they won't bother about you. Here's ten pounds to help you get away somewhere.'
In three minutes' time an incoherent and badly scared Alfred had left 14 Hunstanton Street with only one idea in his head – never to return.
'Well, I've managed that all right,' said Bundle with satisfaction.
'Was it necessary to be so – well, drastic?' Loraine demurred.
'It's safer,' said Bundle. 'I don't know what Jimmy and Bill are up to, but we don't want Alfred coming back in the middle of it and wrecking everything. Hallo, here they are. Well, they haven't wasted much time. Probably watching round the corner to see Alfred leave. Go down and open the door to them, Loraine.'
Loraine obeyed. Jimmy Thesiger alighted from the driving seat.
'You stop there for a moment, Bill,' he said. 'Blow the horn if you think anyone's watching the place.'
He ran up the steps and banged the door behind him. He looked pink and elated.
'Hallo, Bundle, there you are. Now then, we've got to get down to it. Where's the key of the room you got into last time?'
'It was one of the downstairs keys. We'd better bring the lot up.'
'Right you are, but be quick. Time's short.'
The key was easily found, the baize-lined door swung back and the three entered. The room was exactly as Bundle had seen it before, with the seven chairs grouped round the table. Jimmy surveyed it for a minute or two in silence. Then his eye went to the two cupboards.
