“So that they invite us to lunch?”

“That’s the idea. I say, Bundle, I ran into that girl Socks yesterday, and what do you think⁠—Terence O’Rourke is going to be down there this weekend!”

“Jimmy, do you think he⁠—?”

“Well⁠—suspect everyone, you know. That’s what they say. He’s a wild lad, and daring as they make them. I wouldn’t put it past him to run a secret society. He and the Countess might be in this together. He was out in Hungary last year.”

“But he could pinch the formula any time.”

“That’s just what he couldn’t. He’d have to do it under circumstances where he couldn’t be suspected. But the retreat up the ivy and into his own bed⁠—well, that would be rather neat. Now for instructions. After a few polite nothings to Lady Coote, you and Loraine are to get hold of Pongo and O’Rourke by hook or by crook and keep them occupied till lunch time. See? It oughtn’t to be difficult for a couple of beautiful girls like you.”