“Checkmate to the Young Adventurers,” he said, and slowly raised the big
automatic.
But, even as he did so, he felt himself seized from behind in a grip of
iron. The revolver was wrenched from his hand, and the voice of Julius
Hersheimmer said drawlingly:
“I guess you’re caught redhanded with the goods upon you.”
The blood rushed to the K.C.’s face, but his self-control was marvellous,
as he looked from one to the other of his two captors. He looked longest at
Tommy.
“You,” he said beneath his breath. “YOU! I might have known.”
Seeing that he was disposed to offer no resistance, their grip slackened.
Quick as a flash his left hand, the hand which bore the big signet ring, was
raised to his lips….
” ‘Ave, Caesar! te morituri salutant,’ ” he said, still looking at Tommy.
Then his face changed, and with a long convulsive shudder he fell forward
in a crumpled heap, whilst an odour of bitter almonds filled the air.
CHAPTER XXVII
A SUPPER PARTY AT THE SAVOY
THE supper party given by Mr. Julius Hersheimmer to a few friends on the
evening of the 30th will long be remembered in catering circles. It took place
in a private room, and Mr. Hersheimmer’s orders were brief and forcible. He
gave carte blanche–and when a millionaire gives carte blanche he usually gets
it!
Every delicacy out of season was duly provided. Waiters carried bottles of
ancient and royal vintage with loving care. The floral decorations defied the
seasons, and fruits of the earth as far apart as May and November found
themselves miraculously side by side. The list of guests was small and select.
The American Ambassador, Mr. Carter, who had taken the liberty, he said, of
bringing an old friend, Sir William Beresford, with him, Archdeacon Cowley, Dr.
Hall, those two youthful adventurers, Miss Prudence Cowley and Mr. Thomas
Beresford, and last, but not least, as guest of honour, Miss Jane Finn.
Julius had spared no pains to make Jane’s appearance a success. A
mysterious knock had brought Tuppence to the door of the apartment she was
sharing with the American girl. It was Julius. In his hand he held a cheque.
“Say, Tuppence,” he began, “will you do me a good turn? Take this, and get
Jane regularly togged up for this evening. You’re all coming to supper with me
at the Savoy. See? Spare no expense. You get me?”
“Sure thing,” mimicked Tuppence. “We shall enjoy ourselves. It will be a
pleasure dressing Jane. She’s the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“That’s so,” agreed Mr. Hersheimmer fervently.
His fervour brought a momentary twinkle to Tuppence’s eye.
“By the way, Julius,” she remarked demurely, “I–haven’t given you my
answer yet.”
“Answer?” said Julius. His face paled.
“You know–when you asked me to–marry you,” faltered Tuppence, her eyes
downcast in the true manner of the early Victorian heroine, “and wouldn’t take
no for an answer. I’ve thought it well over—-”
“Yes?” said Julius. The perspiration stood on his forehead.
Tuppence relented suddenly.
“You great idiot!” she said. “What on earth induced you to do it? I could
see at the time you didn’t care a twopenny dip for me!”
“Not at all. I had–and still have–the highest sentiments of esteem and
respect–and admiration for you—-”
“H’m!” said Tuppence. “Those are the kind of sentiments that very soon go
to the wall when the other sentiment comes along! Don’t they, old thing?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” said Julius stiffly, but a large and burning
blush overspread his countenance.
“Shucks!” retorted Tuppence. She laughed, and closed the door, reopening
it to add with dignity: “Morally, I shall always consider I have been jilted!”
“What was it?” asked Jane as Tuppence rejoined her.
“Julius.”
“What did he want?”
“Really, I think, he wanted to see you, but I wasn’t going to let him. Not
until to-night, when you’re going to burst upon every one like King Solomon in
his glory! Come on! WE’RE GOING TO SHOP!”
To most people the 29th, the much-heralded “Labour Day,” had passed much as
any other day. Speeches were made in the Park and Trafalgar Square. Straggling
processions, singing the Red Flag, wandered through the streets in a more or