By the way, you must be sitting beside
the receiver expecting a call; you answered with such amazing
promptness!" and she laughed softly. "Shall I expect you at eleven, or
will you be content to wait until we go to the Department at four?"
"I had just finished talking with Mrs. Clephane when you called,"
Harleston replied imperturbably, then laughed mockingly. "I'll be at the
Chateau for you at half-after-three; you can give me the details then. I
shall be delighted, Madeline, to compare your details with hers."
"I wonder!" said she.
"What do you wonder?" said he.
"Whether you are--well, no matter; we'll take it up this afternoon.
_Tout a l'heure, Monsieur Harleston_!"
He was turning once more toward the door, when the telephone rang again.
"Is that Mr. Harleston?" said Mrs. Clephane's lovely voice--and
Harleston's grin almost flowed into the transmitter.
"It is indeed!" he responded--then severely: "Where have you been, my
lady? You have given me a most horrible fright."
"I cry your pardon, my lord; I'll not transgress again," she laughed.
"And if you don't scold me I'll tell you something--something I'm sure
will be worth even a diplomat's hearing."
"Anything you would tell would be well worth any diplomat's hearing,"
said he; "only I shall always prefer to be the diplomat on duty when you
are doing the telling!"
"That's deliciously nice, Mr.
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