Draconmeyer's voice seemed to bring her back to a present not altogether agreeable.
"I am going back to my room for a little time," she replied.

"I will call in and see Linda first, if you like." They left the restaurant together and strolled across the Square to the Hotel de Paris, ascended in the lift, and made their way to Draconmeyer's suite of rooms in a silence which was almost unbroken.
When they entered the large salon with its French-windows and balcony, they found the apartment deserted.

Violet looked questioningly at her companion.

He closed the door behind him and nodded.
"Yes," he admitted, "my message was a subterfuge.

I have sent Linda over to Mentone with her nurse.