Page:The Van Roon (IA thevanroon00snaiiala).pdf/141

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between three and four." She spoke with slow reluctance. "That's the only time I can really get away."

"All right," said the man, briskly. "You'll find me at the Haliburton Street Studios up till five o'clock on Thursday. Number Four. Give a good ring; the bell is a bit out of gear. My name is Keller. Can you remember it, or shall I write it down for you, with the address?"

"Write them down for me, please."

The man tore a leaf from a pocket book, and wrote his name and address with a fountain pen: Adolph Keller, 4 Haliburton Street Studios, Manning Square, Soho. When he had done this, and given it to her, he tore out another leaf and asked her to write down hers. This she accordingly did, and then the sudden thought of William's tea caused her to rise abruptly.

Mr. Keller wished to pay her bill, which was five-pence, but she declined to let him.

"Au revoir! Thursday afternoon. Manning Square is only about three minutes from here. Don't forget," were the words with which he took leave of her. "Bring it along. I dare say I'll be able to tell you whether it is genuine, and perhaps give you an idea of its value."

He laughed slightly, and then offered his hand in a very friendly manner. She took it with a reluctance she was rather ashamed of showing. He was so kind, so agreeable, so anxious to be of use that there seemed no warrant for the subtle complexity of feeling he had aroused in her.