"You can manage it for me?" asked Willie Ruston.
"I suppose I can," answered Carlin; "but it's rather queer, isn't it, Willie?"
"I don't know whether it's queer or not; but I must talk to her for half-an-hour."
"Why not at Curzon Street?"
Ruston laughed a short little laugh.
"Do you really want the reason stated?" he inquired.
Carlin shook his head gloomily, but he attempted no remonstrance. He confined himself to saying,
"I hope the deuce you're not getting yourself into a mess!"
"She'll be here about five. You must be here, you know, and you must leave me with her. Look here, Carlin, I only want a word with her."
"But my wife--"
"Send your wife somewhere-to the theatre with the children, or somewhere. Mind you're here to receive her."
He issued his orders and walked away. He h
