The Lady Sleuths MEGAPACK TM(207)

                She signaled to the Major, who stood looking discontentedly from one of the windows.

                “That is a most interesting group,” she said; “now, if you like, you may introduce me to your mother.”

                “Oh, with pleasure—under what name?” he asked.

                “Under my own,” she answered, “and please be very distinct in pronouncing it, raise your voice slightly so that every one of those persons may hear it. And then, please add my profession, and say I am here at your request to investigate the circumstances connected with Mdlle. Cunier’s disappearance.”



                             Major Druce looked astounded.

                “But—but,” he stammered, “have you seen anything—found out anything? If not, don’t you think it will be better to preserve your incognita a little longer.”

                “Don’t stop to ask questions,” said Loveday sharply; “now, this very minute, do what I ask you, or the opportunity will be gone.”

                The Major without further demur, escorted Loveday across the room. The conversation between the four intimate friends had now become general and animated, and he had to wait for a minute or so before he could get an opportunity to speak to his mother.

                During that minute Loveday stood a little in his rear, with Lady Gwynne and Cassimi at her right hand.

                “I want to introduce this lady to you,” said the Major, when a pause in the talk gave him his opportunity. “This is Miss Loveday Brooke, a lady detective, and she is here at my request to investigate the circumstances connected with the disappearance of Mdlle. Cunier.”

                He said the words slowly and distinctly.

                “There!” he said to himself complacently, as he ended; “if I had been reading the lessons in church, I couldn’t have been more emphatic.”

                A blank silence for a moment fell upon the group, and even the butler, just then entering with the claret-cup, came to a standstill at the door.

                Then, simultaneously, a glance flashed from Mrs. Druce to Lady Gwynne, from Lady Gwynne to Mrs. Druce, and then, also simultaneously, the eyes of both ladies rested, though only for an instant, on the big picture hat lying on the chair.

                Lady Gwynne started to her feet and seized her hat, adjusting it without so much as a glance at a mirror.

                “I must go at once; this very minute,” she said. “I promised Charlie I would back soon after six, and now it is past seven. Mr. Cassimi, will you take me down to my carriage?” And with the most hurried of leave-takings to the Princess and her hostess, the lady swept out of the room, followed by Mr. Cassimi.



                             The butler still standing at the door, drew back to allow the lady to pass, and then, claret-cup and all, followed her out of the room.

                Mrs. Druce drew a long breath and bowed formally to Loveday.

                “I was a little taken by surprise,” she began—

                But here the Princess rose suddenly from the sofa.

                “Moi, je suis fatiguée,” she said in excellent French to Mrs. Druce, and she too swept out of the room, throwing, as she passed, what seemed to Loveday a slightly scornful glance towards the Major.