Mr. Prohack lit the first cigarette of the day.

“Why did you bring that typewriter?” he asked gravely.

“It’s mine.  I thought that if you didn’t happen to have one here it might be useful.  It was the typewriter that the car had to go back for.  I’d forgotten it.  I can take it away again.  But if you like you can either buy it or hire it from, me.”

The girl could not have guessed it from his countenance, but Mr. Prohack was thunderstruck.  She was bringing forward considerations which positively had not presented themselves to him.  That she had much initiative was clear from her conduct of the previous day.  She now disclosed a startling capacity for intrigue.  Mr. Prohack, however, was not intimidated.  The experience of an official life had taught him the value of taciturnity, and moreover a comfortable feeling of satisfaction stole over him as he realised that once again he had a secretary under his thumb.  He seemed to be delightfully resuming the habits which ill-health had so ruthlessly broken.

“Mary Warburton,” said he at length.

“Certainly,” said she.  “I’ll tell your chauffeur.”

“The initials will correspond—­in case—­”

“Yes,” said she.  “I’d noticed that.”

“We will see what your typewriting machine is capable of, and then I’ll decide about it.”

“Certainly.”

“Please take down some letters.”

“Mr. Carrel Quire always told me what he wanted said, and I wrote the letters myself.”

“That is very interesting,” said Mr. Prohack.  “Perhaps you can manage to sit at the dressing-table.  Mind that necklace there.  It’s supposed to be rather valuable.  Put it in the case, and put the case in the middle drawer.”

“Don’t you keep it in a safe?” said Miss Warburton, obeying.

“All questions about necklaces should be addressed direct to Mrs. Prohack.”

“I prefer to take down on my knee,” said Miss Warburton, opening her notebook, “if I am to take down.”

“You are.  Now.  ’Dear Madam.  I am requested by my Lords of the Treasury to forward to you the enclosed cheque for one hundred pounds for your Privy Purse.’  New line.  ’I am also to state that no account of expenditure will be required.’  New line.  ’Be good enough to acknowledge receipt.  Your obedient servant.  To Miss Prohack, Grand Babylon Hotel.’  Got it?  ’Dear Sir.  With reference to the action instituted by your company against Miss Mimi Winstock, and to my claim against your company under my accident policy.  I have seen the defendant.  She had evidently behaved in an extremely foolish not to say criminal way; but as the result of a personal appeal from her I have decided to settle the matter privately.  Please therefore accept this letter as a release from all your liabilities to me, and also as my personal undertaking to pay all the costs of the action on both sides.  Yours faithfully.  Secretary, World’s Car Insurance Corporation.’  Wipe your eyes, wipe your eyes, Miss Warburton.  You’re wetting the notebook.”