"There's a 'phone message just come through from Max," he said, a trifle
awkwardly. (Jerry had not lived through the past few months at Lilac
Lodge without realising the terms on which the Erringtons stood with each
other.) "He won't be back till late."
Diana bestowed her sweetest smile upon him.
"Then we shall be dining _tete-a-tete_. How nice! Come along."
She took his arm and they went in together.
"This is a very serious thing about Miss de Gervais, isn't it?" she said
conversationally, as they sat down.
"A dastardly business," assented Jerry, with indignation.
"I suppose--did Max give you any further particulars?"
"The bullet's broken her arm just above the elbow. Of course she won't
be able to play for some time to come."
"How her understudy must be rejoicing," murmured Diana reflectively.
"It seems," pursued Jerry, "that the shot was fired by some shady actor
fellow. Down on his luck, you know, and jealous of Miss de Gervais'
success. At least, that's what they suspect, and Max has 'phoned me to
send a paragraph to all the morning papers to that effect."
"That's very curious," commented Diana.
"Why? I should think it's a jolly good guess."
Diana smiled enigmatically.
"Anyhow, it sounds a very natural supposition," she agreed lightly, and
then switched the conversation on to other subjects. Jerry, however,
seemed rather absent and distrait, and presently, when at last the
servants had handed the coffee and withdrawn, he blurted out:--
"It sounds beastly selfish of me, but this affair has upset my own little
plans rather badly.
Pages:
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258