Parker explained, as
he clambered into the car and took the place I had vacated by his
daughter's side, "it would give us no pleasure to go to the Ritz. We have
courage, both of us--my daughter and I--as you may have observed for
yourself; but courage is a different thing from rashness. We have been
enjoying a very pleasant and not unlucrative time for the last six weeks,
with the--er--natural result that there are several ladies and gentlemen
in London whom I would just as soon avoid. The Ritz is one of those places
where one might easily come across them."
"The Carlton? Prince's? Claridge's? Berkeley?" I suggested. "Or what do
you say to Jules' or the Milan grill-room?"
Mr. Parker shook his head slowly.
"If you really mean that you wish me to choose," he said, "I say
Stephano's."
"As you will," I agreed. "I only suggested the other places because I
thought Miss Parker might like a change."
We drove to Stephano's. It struck me that Luigi's greeting was scarcely so
cordial as usual. He piloted us, however, to the table usually occupied by
Mr. Parker. On the way he took the opportunity of drawing me a little
apart.
"Mr. Walmsley, sir," he said, "can you tell me anything about Mr. Parker
and his daughter?"
"Anything about them?" I repeated.
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