“Sh!” warned the secretary.

“Of course, there would be some charities,” she went on, her brown eyes shining, “but you and I, you and I—”

“Hush!” warned the secretary again. “We can’t be thankful enough that dear Miss Frink’s life was saved.”

Mrs. Lumbard laughed low. “You’ve said it, Leonard. I don’t think we can.”

“Adèle!”

“Yes, I know.” She still laughed softly.

[39]

[39]

CHAPTER IV A BOBBED HEAD

A BOBBED HEAD

As Leonard Grimshaw’s hair gradually deserted him, he brushed it up in a more and more aggressive tuft; and as he entered the White Room now he reminded Hugh of a cockatoo, with his crest and his slender, sharp nose and shell-rimmed spectacles.

“Excuse the intrusion,” he said in his most dignified and ladylike manner, and, as he gazed at the one-eyed warrior, his nostrils dilated. Cigarette smoke was curling above the immaculateness of the bed. “I come at Miss Frink’s behest to get your suit of clothes,” he added coldly.

Hugh removed his cigarette. “What you going to do with it?” he asked in a rather hollow voice. “Any needy scarecrows in Farrandale?”

The secretary did not like the stranger’s nonchalant manner and he declined to smile.

“I am to send it to your tailor to be duplicated. Miss Frink proposes to pay for it.”

“She’ll have to if anybody does,” remarked Hugh feebly. “I’m broke. Awfully good of you, Mr.—Mr.—”

[40]

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