His attitude puzzled Haredale, who glanced interrogatively at Mrs. Rohscheimer. She shook her head in worried perplexity. "Go and get dressed, dear," said Rohscheimer, with much irritation. "I'm not ill; I've only turned patriotic." Mrs. Rohscheimer departing, Haredale lingered. "Leave me alone a bit, Haredale," begged the financier. "I want to get used to bein' a bloomin' hero! Send Lawson up in half an hour--and you come too, if you wouldn't mind." Haredale left the room. As the door closed, Rohscheimer turned and looked fully at the wardrobe. From the gap pointed a gleaming tube! _"Ah!"_ He dropped back in his chair. Nothing moved. The activity of the household stirred reassuringly about him. He stood up, crossed to the wardrobe, and threw wide its doors. In the pocket of a hanging coat was thrust a nickelled rod from a patent trousers-stretcher, so that it pointed out into the room. Rohscheimer stared--and stared--and stared. "My God!" he whispered. "He slipped out directly he got the cheque, and I sat here all night----" CHAPTER IX ES-SINDIBAD OF CADOGAN GARDENS Upon the night following the ill-omened banquet in Park Lane was held a second dinner party, in Cadogan Gardens. Like veritable gourmets, we must be present. It is close upon the dining hour. "Zoe is late!" said Lady Vignoles. "I think not, dear," her husband corrected her, consulting his celebrated chronometer. "They have one minute in which to demonstrate the efficiency of American methods!" "Thank you--Greenwich!" smiled her vivacious ladyship, whose husband's love of punctuality was the only trace of character which six months of marital intimacy had enabled her to discover in him. "You know," said Lord Vignoles to Zimmermann, the famous _litterateur_ of the Ghetto, "she is proud of Yankee smartness. Only natural." And his light blue eyes followed his wife's pretty figure as she flitted hospitably amongst her guests. Admiration beamed through his monocle. "Lady Vignoles is a staunch American," agreed the novelist. "I gather that your opinion of that nation differs from hers?" "Well, you know," explained his host, "I don't seriously contend--that is, when Sheila is about--I don't contend that their methods aren't smart. But it seems to me that their smartness is all--just--well, d'you see what I mean? Look at these Pinkerton fellows!" "Those who you were telling me called upon you this morning?" "Yes. They came over with Oppner to look for this Severac Bablon." "What is your contention?" "Well," said Vignoles, rather flustered at being thus pinned to the point, "I mean to say--they haven't caught him!" "Neither has Scotland Yard!" "No, by Jove, you're right! Scotland Yard hasn't!" "Do you think it likely that Scotland Yard will?" asked the other.