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Helen rose and went forward to greet the president of the Americo-African Mining Company. "Oh, Mr. Parker, how are you? I am so glad you came to see us." The visitor advanced smiling into the room. With a salute to all present, he asked cheerily: "Well, what news of the wanderer?" Helen sighed. "None as yet." The visitor chuckled as he crossed the room to shake hands with Ray and Mr. Steell.
The young man was a little ahead of the lawyer, and, putting on a spurt of speed, he reached the corner just in time to see the Frenchman and suitcase disappear into a grimy, dilapidated looking tenement at the end of a blind alley. "We've run the fox to earth," whispered Steell exultantly. "Could any melodrama wish for a more appropriate mise-en-scène?" grinned Dick.
Helen turned to her in mock despair. "If you went, what would I do? Who would take care of me?" "I would," said a masculine voice close by. The women turned quickly. A tall, fair man still in his thirties, had stopped and raised his hat. "Why, it's Mr. Steell!" exclaimed Ray, her pleasure at the meeting betraying itself in the tone of her voice. "Do you doubt my ability to take care of you?
"He says you promised him half of ze proceeds when ze diamonds were sold, and that now you are trying to do him out of it He says he's sick of ze whole thing and will squeal to ze police unless you do ze right thing." Straining every nerve to hear, Steell glued his ear to the door. Keralio burst out fiercely: "Squeal, will he, the dog?
"I sent him to get me an ice." Mr. Steell laughed outright. "Oh, it was you who sent him. If I had known " "Why?" demanded Ray, opening wide her eyes. "Where is he? I want my ice." "I'll get you an ice, dear," said Helen. "No, let me go," exclaimed Mr. Parker. "No no one will get the ice but myself," said Mr. Steell. "It's my fault that the ice is not already forthcoming.
You know he sailed for South Africa two weeks ago. This is Mr. Steell, Signor Keralio. I think you know my sister. Mr. Parker Signor Keralio." The old gentleman nodded affably, and, putting on his glass, scrutinized the newcomer narrowly. The president of the Americo-African Mining Company had always made it a point not to neglect any chance introduction.
"May I come in?" said a voice. Helen looked up quickly. It was Wilbur Steell who was standing at the door with his head half in the room, laughing at them. The two women had been so busy talking that they had not heard the sound of approaching footsteps. With an exclamation of joy Ray jumped to her feet and ran up to him. "It's Wilbur my precious Wilbur!"
"Oh, well you must be patient. He'll soon be there, and then we shall hear wonderful tales." "What's the latest news from the seat of war I mean the mines?" asked Ray roguishly. Mr. Parker smiled. "Everything is going well, thank you." "No new big finds?" demanded Mr. Steell. The president laughed. Shaking his head, he said: "We can't expect to make such finds every day.
With mock seriousness he went on: "Say sis, Helen and I have been having an argument. Who does Steell come here for for you or for me?" Ray burst into merry laughter. "How silly you are, Ken. For me, of course. At least, I flatter myself that " With a wink at her sister she added facetiously: "Of course, one never knows when dealing with these handsome men. And Helen is quite adorable.
Parker was peacefully dozing in a deep armchair a dozen yards away, and at the far end of the room Ray, Steell and Reynolds were engrossed in an exciting game of cards. Leaning quickly over, he seized her hand. His voice vibrating with passion, he said: "Not only the cleverest, but the most desirable of women. Don't you see that you've set me afire? I'm mad for you! Helen I want you!"
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