He would be very
glad if you could spare him a moment in the library."
Francis rose at once to his feet.
"I was just leaving," he said. "I will look in at the library
and see Sir Timothy on my way out."
CHAPTER XXV
Sir Timothy was standing upon the hearthrug of the very wonderful
apartment which he called his library. By his side, on a black
marble pedestal, stood a small statue by Rodin. Behind him, lit
by a shielded electric light, was a Vandyck, "A Portrait of a
Gentleman Unknown," and Francis, as he hesitated for a moment
upon the threshold, was struck by a sudden quaint likeness
between the face of the man in the picture, with his sunken
cheeks, his supercilious smile, his narrowed but powerful eyes,
to the face of Sir Timothy himself. There was something of the
same spirit there--the lawless buccaneer, perhaps the criminal.
"You asked for me, Sir Timothy," Francis said.
Sir Timothy smiled.
"I was fortunate to find that you had not left," he answered. "I
want you to be present at this forthcoming interview. You are to
a certain extent in the game. I thought it might amuse you."
Francis for the first time was aware that his host was not alone.
The room, with its odd splashes of light, was full of shadows,
and he saw now that in an easy-chair a little distance away from
Sir Timothy, a girl was seated.
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