He looked down into the street.  A carriage had driven up, and was waiting at the door below.

“We must go down,” he said.  “Mrs. Deane said ten minutes, and they are more than up.  You see the carriage is waiting there to take you to the Opera.”

She turned away reluctantly.

“Come with us,” she begged, “or give us some supper afterwards.  Mrs. Deane would like that.”

“I’ll meet you afterwards,” he said.  “I am not in the mood for music to-night.”

“Very well,” she answered.  “If Mrs. Deane doesn’t care about supper you can drive me home.  Our talks always seem to be interrupted, and there is so much I want to say to you.”

In the lobby of Covent Garden he met Littleson, who had paused to light a cigarette on his way out.  He stepped forward and addressed Vine eagerly.

“I was trying to find you only this afternoon,” he said.  “Can you come around to the club with me now, and have a talk?”

“Sorry,” Vine answered.  “I am here to meet some friends who will be out directly.”

“Will you lunch with me to-morrow?” Littleson asked.

“No!” Vine answered.  “To tell you the truth, nothing would induce me to accept any hospitality at your hands.”

“You have made up your mind, then?” Littleson asked slowly.

“Never mind about that,” Vine answered.  “I have said all that I have to say to you and your friends.”

Littleson laid his hand for a moment upon the other’s shoulder.

“Look here, Vine,” he said, “you’re what I call a crank of the first order, but you are not a bad chap, and I’d hate to see you make the mistake of your life.  Weiss and the others are not the sort of men to take an attack such as you threaten, sitting down.  You take my advice and leave it alone.  Come round to my rooms, and we’ll make a bargain of it.  I can promise you that you’ll never need to go back to America to make dollars.”

“Life isn’t all a matter of dollars,” Vine answered contemptuously.  “There are other things worth thinking about.  If I strike at you and your friends, it is not for the money or the notoriety I could make out of it.  It is because I want to attack a villainous system, because I consider that you and Weiss and the rest of you are really doing your best to throttle the greatest country on God’s earth.”

“Well,” Littleson said, “I have warned you.  You are a crank, and a foolish one at that.  You are going about asking for trouble, and I think you will find it.  If you change your mind, come to me at Claridge’s.”

He walked away, and Vine turned to greet Mrs. Deane and Stella, who were just coming out.  Stella, whose eyes were still bright with the excitement of the music, laid her hand for a moment softly in his.

“Where are you taking us for supper?” she answered.

“To the Carlton, or anywhere you choose,” he answered.  “Let me find the carriage first.”