"Hush! Listen!"
It was the tinkling of the street door bell. Chummy Smith was backalready.
IX
He had a taxi waiting, and the driver was getting the boxes on as wereached the annexe again. Philip carried in his hand the jar of orangecuracao.
"Get the liqueur-glasses out, Monty," he said, and the words soundedremotely familiar.
"Where are my darling babies?" Joan cried, darting out into the gardenwhere the Esdaile boys played beneath the mulberry. Philip and Molliehad decided that the best and cheapest thing to do with them was to packthem off to a preparatory school, and for a month past Joan had beenimpressing on them the dignity of this promotion.
As Philip busied himself with the jar of curacao I found myself byAudrey Rooke's side. It was a little on my mind that she had theimpression I didn't like her. Very charming and graceful indeed shelooked in her filmy black tulle, and the hat with the little jutting-outserifs admirably suited her. The ring that I had prised out of the holein the floor with a screwdriver was on her finger again, above herwedding-ring.
"May I say how sincerely glad I am this has all ended so happily?" Isaid in a low voice.
She lifted the large dark eyes to mine, and I fancied I saw a gratefullook in them.
"Thank you," she said; and added, "Mollie told me what your share in itwas."
"The merest fluke," I said.
"But you were quick to understand," she replied; and we let it go atthat.
"Got those glasses, Monty?" Philip called. "Fetch Joan in, Mollie--thereisn't much time----"
We pressed about the tray of glasses filled with the pale liquid gold.
"Well--extraordinary good luck, everybody----"
"Here's how----"
"Cheerioh----"
"God bless," said Chummy, with a little jerk of his glass aloft. "No,Alan, liqueurs are not for little boys--not till after their firstterm----"
"The best of luck, Mrs. Rooke----"
The glasses were set down again, and we bustled into the little hall.
"Gear all aboard?"
"Right--so long, Mollie, and ever so many thanks----"
"Good-by, darling----"
"Good-by, Commander----"
"With your permission, Chummy----"
"Here, I say, let them get off--they'll miss their train----"
We flocked down the path after them, and Philip closed the taxi door.
"Paddington," he said.
Waving hands, handkerchiefs, blown kisses; and the taxi glided away. Asit did so it showed a tall figure in police uniform who had beenstanding behind it.
"Good morning, Inspector," said Philip.
Inspector Webster gravely saluted.
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