Part 57 (1/2)

”If I am detained, dear,” he whispered, ”you'll make the best of it, won't you? The car will be here and Frederick will be looking out for you.”

”Of course,” she answered, cheerfully. ”I shall be quite all right.”

She nodded brightly and Peter took his departure. He pa.s.sed through a door on which was painted ”Private,” and through a maze of scenery and stage hands and ballet ladies by a devious route to the region of the dressing-rooms. His guide conducted him to the door of one of these and knocked.

”Entrez, monsieur,” a shrill feminine voice replied.

Peter entered and closed the door behind him. The commissionaire remained outside. Mademoiselle Celaire turned to greet her visitor.

”It is a few words I desire with you as quickly as possible, if you please, Monsieur le Baron,” she said, advancing towards him. ”Listen.”

She had brushed out her hair and it hung from her head straight and a little stiff, almost like the hair of an Indian woman. She had washed her face, too, free of all cosmetics and her pallor was almost waxen.

She wore a dressing gown of green silk. Her discarded black frock lay upon the floor.

”I am entirely at your service, mademoiselle,” Peter answered, bowing.

”Continue, if you please.”

”You sup with me to-night--you are my guest.”

He hesitated.

”I am very much honored,” he murmured. ”It is an affair of urgency, then? Mademoiselle will remember that I am not alone here.”

She threw out her hands scornfully.

”They told me in Paris that you were a genius!” she exclaimed. ”Cannot you feel, then, when a thing is urgent? Do you not know it without being told? You must meet me with a carriage at the stage door in forty minutes. We sup in Hamilton Place with Andrea Korust and his brother.”

”With whom?” Peter asked, surprised.

”With the Korust Brothers,” she repeated. ”I have just been talking to Andrea. He calls himself a Hungarian. Bah! They are as much Hungarian, those young men, as I am!”

Peter leaned slightly against the table and looked thoughtfully at his companion. He was trying to remember whether he had ever heard anything of these young men.

”Mademoiselle,” he said, ”the prospect of partaking of any meal in your company is in itself enchanting, but I do not know your friends, the Korust Brothers. Apart from their wonderful music, I do not recollect ever having heard of them before in my life. What excuse have I, then, for accepting their hospitality? Pardon me, too, if I add that you have not as yet spoken as to the urgency of this affair.”

She turned from him impatiently and, throwing herself back into the chair from which she had risen at his entrance, she began to exchange the thick woolen stockings which she had been wearing upon the stage for others of fine silk.

”Oh, la, la!” she exclaimed. ”You are very slow, Monsieur le Baron. It is, perhaps, my stage name which has misled you. I am Marie Lapouse.

Does that convey anything to you?”

”A great deal,” Peter admitted, quickly. ”You stand very high upon the list of my agents whom I may trust.”

”Then stay here no longer,” she begged, ”for my maid waits outside and I need her services. Go back and make your excuses to your wife. In forty minutes I shall expect you at the stage door.”

”An affair of diplomacy, this, or brute force?” he inquired.

”Heaven knows what may happen!” she replied. ”To tell you the truth, I do not know myself. Be prepared for anything, but, for Heaven's sake, go now! I can dress no further without my maid, and Andrea Korust may come in at any moment. I do not wish him to find you here.”

Peter made his way thoughtfully back to his seat. He explained the situation to his wife so far as he could, and sent her home. Then he waited about until the car returned, smoking a cigarette and trying once more to remember if he had ever heard anything from Sogrange of Andrea Korust or his brother. Punctually at the time stated he was outside the stage door of the music-hall, and a few minutes later Mademoiselle Celaire appeared, a dazzling vision of fur and smiles and jewelry imperfectly concealed. A small crowd pressed around to see the famous Frenchwoman. Peter handed her gravely across the pavement into his waiting car. One or two of the loungers gave vent to a groan of envy at the sight of the diamonds which blazed from her neck and bosom. Peter smiled as he gave the address to his servant and took his place by the side of his companion.