Take my advice. You won't get that search warrant,
and if you apply for it none of you will be at my party."
"I accept," Shopland decided.
Sir Timothy crossed the room, unlocked the drawer of a
magnificent writing-table, and from a little packet drew out two
cards of invitation. They were of small size but thick, and the
colour was a brilliant scarlet. On one he wrote the name of
Francis, the other he filled in for Miss Hyslop.
"Miss Daisy Hyslop," he said, "shall we drink a glass of wine
together on Thursday evening, and will you decide that although,
perhaps, I am not a very satisfactory correspondent, I can at
least be an amiable host?"
The girl's eyes glistened. She knew very well that the
possession of that card meant that for the next few days she
would be the envy of every one of her acquaintances.
"Thank you, Sir Timothy," she replied eagerly. "You have quite
misunderstood me but I should like to come to your party."
Sir Timothy handed over the cards. He rang for a servant and
bowed the others out. Francis he detained for a moment.
"Our little duel, my friend, marches," he said. "After Thursday
night we will speak again of this matter concerning Margaret.
You will know then what you have to face."
Margaret herself opened the door and looked in.
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