"I was hoping," he said, "that we might have another supper together.
Unfortunately, I have an engagement."

"An engagement?" she repeated, her face falling.

Laverick loved the truth and he seldom hesitated to tell it.

"It is rather an odd thing," he declared. "You remember that woman
at Luigi's last night - Mademoiselle Idiale?"

"Of course."

"She came to my office to-day and gave me six thousand pounds to
invest for her. She made me take her out and show her where the
murder was committed, and asked a great many questions about it.
Then she insisted that I should go and hear her sing this evening,
and I find that I was expected to take her on to supper afterwards.
I excused myself for a little while, but I have promised to go to
Luigi's, where she will be."

The girl was silent for a moment.

"Where are we going now, then?" she asked.

"Wherever you like. I can take you home first, or I can leave you
anywhere."

She looked at him with a piteous little smile.