“‘When a young man’s fancy--’” he began and caught a reflection in the mirror. From where Tab and the girl sat they could see nothing. Rex saw reflected the half-open door and a figure that stood motionless outside. He spun round with an exclamation. XXIX “Good Lord, Yeh Ling, you gave me a fright! What a creeping old devil you are.” “I came to see whether the dinner was successful,” said Yeh Ling softly. His hands were covered in his wide sleeves, a little black skull cap was pushed on the back of his head, his shabby silk suit and white soled slippers seemed remarkably out of place in that very modern setting. “It was a great success, Yeh Ling,” said Tab, “wasn’t it?” He turned to the girl and she nodded and her eyes met Yeh Ling’s and for the fraction of a second, held them. “I think I’ll go,” said Rex awkwardly and gripped the girl’s hand again. “Goodnight, old man, you are a lucky old thief.” He wrung Tab’s hand and was gone. “Was the wine to your liking?” said Yeh Ling’s soft voice. “Everything was beautiful,” said Ursula. There was a touch of colour in her cheeks that had not been there before. “Thank you, Yeh Ling, you gave us a wonderful feast. We shall be late for the theatre, Tab,” she said, getting up hurriedly. She was very silent in the car that drove them to the Athenæum and Tab felt a little of the gloom which had suddenly come into their festivity. “Yeh Ling is a creepy sort of fellow, isn’t he?” he said. “Yes, I suppose he is,” was her reply and that was all she said. Ten minutes later she was sitting in a box, intent upon a stage which she had once adorned and seemingly oblivious to everything except the play. Tab decided that she was a little temperamental and loved her for it. Going out to smoke between the first two acts (she insisted upon his going) he saw Carver standing by a tape machine in the vestibule of the theatre. His attention was concentrated on a very prose account of a yacht race which was coming through, but he saw Tab out of the corner of his eye and signalled him. “I am going home with you tonight,” he said surprisingly. “What time will you leave Miss Ardfern?” “I am seeing her to her hotel immediately after the show.” “You are not going to supper anywhere?” asked the other carelessly. “No,” said Tab, “why do you ask?” “Then I will be waiting at the Central Hotel for you. I wish to see you about a nephew of mine who wants to become a newspaper reporter. Perhaps you can give me a few hints.” Tab glanced at him suspiciously. “I have suspected you of many weaknesses, but never of nepotism!” he said. “You told me a few weeks back that you hadn’t a relation in the world.”