Part 3 (1/2)

He straightened almost at once.

”Who was that lazy-looking type you were with last night?

' he wanted to know.

She hadn't expected him to ask, not now when they were so busy.

She said shortly: ”Someone who very kindly saw me back--you owe him for

the bill--he paid it.

' He stared at her with angry eyes.

”If you imagine I'm going to pay for your dinner, you're mistaken--and

you found someone easily enough to pick you up, didn't you?

' ”Hardly that,” said Mr van Diederijk.

He had come quietly through the curtains and was standing just behind

them both.

”T don't make a habit of picking up young women, nor, for that matter, do I leave them to pay for their own dinner.

' His voice was quiet, but--there was a sharp edge to it so that

Alethea judged it prudent not to say anything at all and Nick, trying to bl.u.s.ter his way out of an awkward situation, said too quickly: ”This is hardly the time or the place.

' ”Too true, I'm glad you realise that,” agreed Mr van Diederijk equably.

”Who are you?

' began Nick, and stopped as Sir Walter slid his bulk round the

curtains in his turn.

”My dear chap,” he boomed cheerfully, 'nice of you to come along.

This leg if you can call it that at the moment it seems to me that you're just the man to consult.

A cla.s.sic example of the kind of thing you excel in, I believe wiring,

I should imagine, and then intensive osteopathy to the femur to prevent

muscle contraction am I right?

' The question was rhetorical; Sir Walter was very well aware that he was right.

Alethea said nothing.

Nick muttered some answer or other and Mr van Diederijk agreed placidly.

”Yes, well, in that case, since we are agreed and you happen to be here

I'd be delighted to have the benefit of your skill.

A pity that you and that brother of yours don't have a clinic over here, but I daresay you get all the work you can cope with.

' ”Indeed, we do.

I shall be delighted to give any a.s.sistance I can.

' ”Good, good.