Adventure stories; Imaginary places -- Fiction; Kings and rulers -- Fiction; London (England) -- Fiction; Love stories
For a moment she stared out of the window without replying. It was
plain that she was the prey of several contradictory emotions, of
which a vague restless fear seemed to be the most prominent.
"I don't know what to do," she said unhappily. "You are very kind,
but----"
"There is only one possible thing to do," interrupted Tony firmly,
"and that is to come to Verrier's. We can discuss the next step when
we get there."
Even as he spoke the taxi swerved across the road, and drew up in
front of the famous underground restaurant.
Before getting out the girl threw a quick hunted glance from side to
side of the street. "Do you think either of those men have followed
us?" she whispered.
Tony shook his head comfortingly. "From what I know of Bugg," he
said, "I should regard it as highly improbable."
He settled up with the driver, and then strolling across the
pavement, rejoined the girl, who was waiting for him just outside the
entrance. She had evidently made a great effort to recover her
self-composure, for she looked up at him with a brave if slightly
forced smile.
"I must make myself tidy," she said, "if you won't mind waiting a
minute. I am simply not fit to be seen."
The statement appeared to be exaggerated to Tony, but he allowed it
to pass unchallenged.
"Please don't hurry," he said. "I want to use the telephone, and if
I finish first I can brood over what we'll have for supper."
She smiled again--this time more naturally, and taking the
dressing-bag that he had been carrying for her, disappeared into the
cloak-room. Tony abandoned his hat and coat to a waiter, and then
sauntering forward, entered the restaurant.
The moment he appeared the manager, who was standing on the other
side of the room, hastened across to greet him.
"Bon soir, Sir Antony," he observed with that dazzling smile of
welcome that managers only produce for their most wealthy customers.
"May I 'ave ze pleasiare of finding you a table."
Tony nodded indulgently. "You may, Gustave," he said: "A table for
two with flowers on it, and as far away from the band as possible."
He paused. "Also," he added, "I want a really nice little supper.
Something with imagination about it. The sort of supper that you
would offer to an angel if you unexpectedly found one with an
appetite."
The manager bowed with a gesture of perfect comprehension.
"And while you are wrestling with the problem," said Tony, "I should
like to use the telephone if I may."
He was shown into the private office, where, in response to polite
and repeated requests, a lady at the Exchange eventually found
leisure to connect him with Shepherd's Oyster Bar.
"Is Mr. 'Tiger' Bugg there?" he inquired.
The man who had answered the call departed to have a look round, and
then returned with the information that so far Mr. Bugg had not put
in an appearance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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