"
She sat down promptly. There was a little murmur of voices. My guests
gathered round me. I drew a long breath and continued on my mendacious
career.
"I have been closeted with the manager," I explained. "It was one of the
underwaiters--the little dark one who brought in the coffee. The
temptation seems to have been too much for him. He confessed directly he
was questioned. He has restored everything and I thought it best to have
him simply turned off without any fuss. Here is your pig, Sir Blaydon;
your pendant, Blanche; your brooch, Lady Enterdean. I am exceedingly sorry
you should have had any anxiety--but all's well that ends well!" I wound
up weakly.
Every one was talking cheerfully. The great topic now was one of ethics:
Had I acted properly in not charging the waiter? Fortunately some one
discovered a little later that it was twelve o'clock and my little party
broke up.
CHAPTER VII--"ONE OF US"
I was not altogether surprised to receive, on the following morning before
I had finished breakfast, a visit from Reggie.
"Cheero!" he said brightly as he seated himself in my easy-chair and
tapped the end of one of my cigarettes upon the tablecloth. "I haven't
been up so early for months, but I had to find you before you went out--
about these Bundercombes.
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