"
"Why on earth Bundercombe?" I demanded.
"For the reason I have just stated," Mr. Parker said obstinately. "Parker
isn't my name at all; and, between you and me, I think I have made it a
bit notorious. Now there is a Mr. Bundercombe and his daughter, who live
out in a far-western State of America, who've never been out of their own
country, and who are never likely to set foot on this side. She's a pretty
little girl--just like Eve might be; and he's a big, handsome fellow--just
like me. So we'll borrow their names if you don't mind."
"You can come without a name at all, so long as you come," was my final
decision as I took my leave.
CHAPTER VI--THE PARTY AT THE MILAN
The dinner party, which I arranged for in the Milan restaurant, was, on
the whole, a great success. My sister played hostess for me and confessed
herself charmed with Eve, as indeed was every one else. Mr. Parker's
stories kept his end of the table in continual bursts of merriment. One
little incident, too, was in its way exceedingly satisfactory. Mr. and
Mrs. Samuelson were being entertained by some friends close at hand, and
they appeared very much gratified at the cordiality of our greeting. I
talked with Mr. Samuelson during the evening, and I felt that, so far as
he was concerned at any rate, not a shadow of suspicion remained in his
mind as to my two guests.
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