The Toff and the Fallen Angels

Jolly started and turned his head.

“I—yes, that’s right, sir.”

“Enough for three?” asked Rollison.

“Plenty, sir.”

“Be half-prepared,” advised Rollison. “I had a tele-phone call from a woman stranger who will be here just after twelve, and if she measures up to those new standards you credit me with, she may be persuaded to stay to lunch.”

“Very good, sir,” Jolly said. “I wonder—”

“Yes?”

“I’ve been thinking, sir.” Jolly went on, turning the shredded onions over with a wooden fork, “that you have had a very pleasant spell of inactivity—comparative inactivity. You won’t commit yourself to any course of action simply for the sake of having something to do, will you?”

“I hope not,” replied Rollison. “Do you think I might?”

“I have known you feel that the moment has come to—ah—seek pastures new,” Jolly said. “If you will forgive the expression. May I ask whether the caller said what she wished to see you about?”

“No,” said Rollison.

“In that case, sir,” said Jolly. “I ask you most earnestly not to act precipitately.”

“I will ponder profoundly before taking any action whatever,” promised Rollison. “I might even consult you.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Jolly, solemnly.

Rollison went out, closing the door meekly behind him. He went into his bedroom, off which a small bathroom led, and peered at himself in the mirror, then gave a broad grin, showing his very white teeth.

“That’s right, preen yourself,” he jeered.

He went back to the Trophy Wall, but did not spend much more time at it. The past had lost its nostalgic appeal and he was ready for tomorrow. Jolly was right in one way, at least—he hadn’t been very active for a long time.

He wondered what Naomi Smith would be like. There was no reason, except the sound of her voice, why he should be looking forward to seeing her, but he was. He wrote three letters, to the secretaries of committees on which he served, including a London Branch of the Prisoners.” Aid Society, and was sealing the last when the front door bell rang.

It was thirty-one minutes since Naomi Smith had telephoned.

He got up from the desk and waited for Jolly—it would be unkind to open the door himself, and rob Jolly of a chance of appraising the caller. From where he stood, the door leading to the domestic quarters was on the right, the door leading to a wide hall and the front door was on the left.

“Good afternoon,” said Jolly.

“Good afternoon.” The pleasing voice was unmistakable. “Mr. Rollison is expecting me—I am Mrs. Smith.”

“Yes, Madam,” said Jolly, “please come this way.” There was the closing of the door, footsteps muffled by the carpet, and then Jolly appeared and stood aside, announcing:

“Mrs. Smith, sir.”

Rollison moved towards the woman as she came in—and was almost shocked, for she was one of the plainest-looking women he had ever seen; her only redeeming feature, at first sight, were her fine, chestnut-brown eyes.

CHAPTER 2

Fallen Angels

 

NAOMI SMITH smiled at Rollison, and something in her expression told him that she knew what had flashed into his mind, and was amused. She was dressed in a dark brown suit of good cut, with a most attractive figure. As she sat down he noticed her well-shaped legs, the skirt, which was short but not too short, the hand-made shoes, which were lighter than her suit but toned in with it.

As he took in these details, he moved towards a corner cabinet.

“What will you have to drink?”

“A gin and French, please.”

He poured out a whisky and soda for himself, carried the drinks across and sat down opposite her, the small table in between.

“Cheers.”

“Cheers.” Naomi Smith sipped. “And thank you for your courtesy.”

Rollison gave a vague gesture of acknowledgement.

“How can I help you?” As she stared at him with a curiously quizzical expression, he added, smiling: “Or have you come to help me?”