CHAPTER XXXII


Within two weeks of Lewis's departure for South America, Leighton
returned from his shooting-trip. Despite the fact that he had not
written telling Lewis he was coming, he felt a great chagrin at finding
the flat deserted except for the ever-faithful Nelton.

"Where's the boy?" was Leighton's first question. Even as he stepped
across the threshold he felt that he stepped into an empty house.

"South America," said Nelton, relieving his master of hat, stick, and
gloves.

"South America!" cried Leighton, dismayed, and then smiled. "Well, he's
getting his dad's tricks early. What for?"

"Don't know, sir. Mr. Lewis said as you'd get it from her ladyship."

Lady Derl was out of town. Leighton followed her, stayed two days,
decided her momentary entourage was not to his taste, and returned to
London. He reached the flat in the afternoon, just in time to receive a
caller. The caller was Vi.

"Hallo!" said Leighton as Nelton showed her in, "this is fortune. Take
off your things and stay."