烟囱山庄之谜8

On that same Thursday afternoon Virginia Revel had been playing tennis at Ranelagh. All the way back to Pont Street, as she lay back in the long, luxurious limousine, a little smile played upon her lips, as she rehearsed her part in the forthcoming interview. Of course it was within the bounds of possibility that the blackmailer might not reappear, but she felt pretty certain that he would. She had shown herself an easy prey. Well, perhaps this time there would be a little surprise for him!,When the car drew up at the house, she turned to speak to the chauffeur before going up the steps.,“How’s your wife, Walton? I forgot to ask.”,“Better I think, ma’am. The doctor said he’d look in and see her about half-past six. Will you be wanting the car again? ”,Virginia reflected for a minute.,“I shall be away for the week-end. I’m going by the 6.40 from Paddington, but I shan’t need you again—a taxi will do for that. I’d rather you saw the doctor. If he thinks it would do your wife good to go away for the week-end, take her somewhere, Walton. I’ll stand the expense.
”,It was not answered at once, but as she waited there a young man came up the steps. He was shabbily dressed,[Pg 67] and carried in his hand a sheaf of leaflets. He held one out to Virginia with the legend on it plainly visible: “Why Did I Serve my Country?” In his left hand he held a collecting-box.,“I can’t buy two of those awful poems in one day, ” said Virginia pleadingly. “I bought one this morning. I did, indeed, honour bright.
”,The young man threw back his head and laughed. Virginia laughed with him. Running her eyes carelessly over him, she thought him a more pleasing specimen than usual of London’s unemployed. She liked his brown face, and the lean hardness of him. She went so far as to wish she had a job for him.,But at that moment the door opened, and immediately Virginia forgot all about the problem of the unemployed, for to her astonishment the door was opened by her own maid, ?lise.,“Where’s Chilvers?” she demanded sharply, as she stepped into the hall.,