"Everything has run smoothly," he resumed, "on the lines on which
we have been working hitherto, but more important work lies
before us. I have found it necessary to select a quiet rendezvous
where I might have an opportunity of conferring in person with my
associates. The first of these conferences will take place very
shortly. I count upon your attendance, Bellward!"
"I shall ,not fail you," replied Desmond. "But where is this
rendezvous of yours, might I ask?"
Mortimer shot a quick glance at him.
"You shall know in good time," he answered drily. Then he added:
"Do you mind if I have a few words with Nur-el-Din before I go!"
The unexpected question caught Desmond off his guard.
"Nur-el-Din?" he stammered feebly.
"She is staying with you, I believe," said Mortimer pleasantly.
Desmond shook his head.
"There must be some mistake," he averred stoutly, "of course I
know who you mean, but I have never met the lady. She is not
here. What led you to suppose she was?"
But even as he spoke, his eyes fell on a black object which lay
near his arm stretched out along the back of the settee. It was a
little velvet hat, skewered to the upholstery of the settee by a
couple of jewelled hat-pins. A couple of gaudy cushions lay
between it and Mortimer's range of vision from the chair in which
the latter was sitting.
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