An Affair For the Baron Read Online Free PDF Page B

display of pre-Columbian artefacts at the San Antonio Fair, and I’ve a small collection myself,” Mannering said. “The authorities asked me to lend it for the Fair, and invited me to go with it.”
    â€œSo you and Daddy will be there at the same time,” remarked Ethel. “It’s a remarkable coincidence, isn’t it?”
    â€œThat I should be after Enrico Ballas and he should be after you?” Mannering pondered. “In a way, I suppose it is, but I’ve known many stranger ones.” He paused before going on: “Except that I know of your father’s reputation, this is all absolutely new to me. Enrico Ballas is well-known as a very clever jewel-thief. I knew he was in London and this particular theft had his hallmark. I simply put two and two together.”
    Ethel laid a hand on Mannering’s arm. “You will help him, won’t you? My father, I mean. He’s a really remarkable man, quite remarkable, but he’s so—so pig-headed over wanting peace at any price that nearly everyone hates—” She broke off, and tears welled up in her eyes.
    â€œHates this alleged belief,” Mannering said gently.
    â€œYou know him well enough to say ‘alleged’?” Ethel asked, her voice changing with new interest. “He swears he doesn’t believe in peace at any price – but most people think he does.”
    â€œI only know that I don’t care much for many of the people whom I know oppose him most strongly.”
    â€œThat’s one way of looking at it,” she said, broodingly. She frowned in concentration. “ Microfilm ?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œCould he—” The words were almost inaudible.
    â€œCould he have become so frustrated by events that he would do something outrageous for what he believes in?” Mannering asked gently. “Do you think that he might, Ethel?”
    She said very slowly: “It wouldn’t really surprise me.”
    â€œHas he ever suggested—”
    â€œBefore he left England he was more evasive than I’d ever known him,” Ethel declared. “And he got angrier than ever with people whom he said didn’t understand. But I wasn’t deeply interested. Not really. I feel a beast, saying so, but I hadn’t much patience with him, or rather, with his ideas. I tried not to show it, but he knew. I thought he spent too much time and money he couldn’t afford worrying about the world’s problems. He writes letters by the hundred, is forever having pamphlets printed. He always seems to think he’s the only one who can solve the world’s problems.”
    â€œI know the feeling,” Mannering said quietly.
    â€œ You do?” she marvelled. “But I thought you were just a wealthy dealer in precious things who liked play—” She broke off, embarrassment in her voice.
    â€œPlaying at being a detective,” Mannering finished for her, his eyes crinkling. “Actually I don’t like detecting as much as all that. I find myself acting detective for people who can’t do it for themselves but don’t want to go to the police. It fills a need.” He stopped, watching her intently and questioningly.
    Slowly, Ethel said: “ You take on other people’s problems, too.”
    â€œThat’s what my wife always says. I don’t really agree with her. I agree with your father – any man who sees a thing is wrong ought to try to put it right. Your father’s taken on the world and I’ve taken on a few spendthrift millionaires who break the rules, and really don’t deserve help.”
    Almost shocked, Ethel said: “But you’ve never met him!”
    â€œNot until we meet in Chicago!”
    â€œAnd you know him better than I do!” Ethel sprang to her feet. “Oh, I feel dreadful. He’s always been on his own. He’s had to fight and fight and fight. All the right people