Page:The Black Camel (IA blackcamel0000earl).djvu/27

“He’s really very nice,” Julie assured her. “Especially when he isn’t talking shop.”

The pink walls of the Grand Hotel appeared at that moment through a network of majestic palms, and Shelah directed the chauffeur to turn in at the gates.

“I must talk with you very soon,” she said to Tarneverro. “I have so much to ask you. You see———”

He raised a slim white hand. “Don’t tell me, please,” he smiled. “Let me tell you.”

She glanced at him, a little startled. “Oh—of course. I need your advice, Tarneverro. You must help me again, as you have helped me so often in the past.”

He nodded gravely. “I shall try. With what success—who knows? Come to my apartment at eleven o’clock—it is number nineteen, on the first floor. There is a short flight of stairs leading to my corridor just at the left of the hotel desk as you enter. I shall expect you.”

“Yes, yes.” Her voice was trembling. “I must settle this thing to-day. I'll be there.”Tarneverro bowed from the hotel steps, and as the car drove off Shelah was conscious of Julie’s frank young eyes fixed on her with a disapproval that was almost contempt.

The head bell-man touched Tarneverro’s sleeve. “Excuse. There is a man who waits to see you. This one.”

The fortune-teller turned to perceive a bulky Chinese who approached him with an amazingly light step. The ivory face was wearing a somewhat stupid expression; the black eyes were veiled and sleepy-