"I have suggested to Mr. Moss, my dear," Mr. Parker intervened, turning toward us with beaming face, "just a little early dinner--say, at Stephano's--just as we are, you know. Will this be agreeable to you?" "Certainly!" Eve assented promptly. "Mr. Moss will tell us some of his little adventures," Mr. Parker continued, with satisfaction. "Considering that he has had twelve years' continual work, I think you'll all agree with me that his is a wonderful record. He has been compelled to enter into a little involuntary--er-- retirement only once during the whole of that time." Mr. Moss looked a little puzzled. "He means lagged, don't he?" he remarked, a light breaking in on him. "Only once in my life--and that for a trifling beano--a lady's bag and a couple of wipes. I tell you it's no joke nowadays, though. They do watch you! The profession ain't what it was." "You will come with us, won't you, Mr. Walmsley?" Eve begged, turning to me. "I shall be delighted," I answered, with strenuous mendacity. "Did you say Stephano's, or what do you think of one of these places closer at hand? I was told of a little restaurant in Soho the other day, where the cooking is remarkable." "I'm all for Stephano's," Mr. Moss declared, grinning; "and the sooner the better. One of the neatest pieces of business I ever did in my life I brought off there in the old bar. To tell you the truth, I'm getting a bit peckish." "There is no reason," Mr. Parker agreed, "why we should not dine at once. It is very nearly seven o'clock. What do you say?" "Yoicks! Tally-ho, for the Strand!" Mr. Moss exclaimed, with spirit. We started off--four in a taxi. It was Mr. Moss who, with florid politeness, handed Eve to her seat; and it was Mr. Moss who entertained us on the way with light conversation. CHAPTER VIII--AT THE ALHAMBRA Luigi's face, when he met the Parkers and myself at the entrance of the restaurant, was a study. His polite bow and smile of welcome seemed suddenly frozen on his face as his eyes fell upon Mr. Moss. Mr. Moss was still wearing his hat, which was a black bowler with a small brim, set at a jaunty angle a little on one side and affording a liberal view of his black curls underneath. His linen failed completely to stand the test of the clear, soft light of the restaurant, and one might have been excused for entertaining certain doubts with regard to the diamond pin in his mauve tie and the ring that flashed from his not overwhite hand as he tardily removed his headgear. "Bit of all right--this place!" Mr. Moss remarked, handing his hat to Luigi. "Who'll have a short one with me before we feed?" Luigi passed the hat from the tips of his fingers to a subordinate. He showed us a table quite silently, handed the menu over to a _maitre d'hotel_ and promptly departed. Looking round a little nervously I could see him gazing at us from his sanctum over the top of the blind!