The Great Christmas Ball Read Online Free PDF Page A

along, then. All set, Cathy?”
    Costain knew he had lost the young man’s trust. Common sense told him the youngster’s next move would be to inform Cosgrave of the whole business. He set himself to the task of charming them, and when Lord Costain decided to charm, he could bring the birds from the trees.
    “You must allow me a few minutes to enlarge on the situation,” he said. “Now that I have found such willing and able cohorts, I see I must tell you everything—on the understanding that it is strictly classified information. A glass of sherry, perhaps? His Grace sent me a few cases from Northland Abbey. You are perhaps familiar with the Duke of Halford, my father?”
    As he spoke, he went to a cupboard and brought out a silver tray holding crystal glasses and sherry. Gordon hesitated. The words willing and able cohorts and classified information reeled in his head. Cathy gave a mental goggle at the casual mention of the duke, and fabled Northland, one of the finest estates in Kent. Even Mama would not object when she learned Mr. Lovell was the son of a duke.
    “Perhaps a quick glass,” Gordon said, and resumed his seat. “We missed out on our tea. Not that I am complaining! Though there were hot scones and raspberry jam.”
    “I used to like tea, but I gained a taste for sherry when I was in the Peninsula,” Costain said. He meant to throw in everything that might impress the young fellow.
    “You were in the Peninsula?” Gordon asked.
    Cathy was a little disappointed in her hero. He was beginning to sound like a common, garden-variety braggart.
    “The third son of the Halfords traditionally joins the army. I was sent home with a ball in the leg. Badajos,” he said modestly.
    “By Jove! What can we do to help you, Lord Costain?”
    Costain trod a narrow path. It took him another quarter of an hour to convince the youngsters that they must not say a word to anyone, without giving them the notion Cosgrave was a traitor. He could not quite trust Gordon to act with propriety. He stressed the importance of secrecy, and of consulting with himself before doing anything.
    “The very walls have ears,” he said, glancing at the closed door. “It will not be safe for us to meet here. I shall call on you to arrange such matters as require your assistance.”
    “P’raps I could go with you tonight,” Gordon said.
    Costain blinked in confusion. “Go where?”
    “Why, to the assignation. The letter Cathy gave the intruder set up a rendezvous at the southwest corner of St. James’s Park at midnight. Since he thinks it is a code or some such thing, it stands to reason he will be there, don’t it?”
    “But if it is a code, then St. James’s Park does not mean St. James’s Park, and midnight does not mean midnight.”
    “Yes, well, he’ll soon figure out it ain’t exactly a code, and think it is a secret meeting instead. He will be there, depend upon it.”
    “You just might be right,” Costain said with a tinge of respect. “But I shall not require your assistance tonight, Sir Gordon.”
    “What is my job tonight?” Gordon asked eagerly.
    “It would be best if you circulate through the drawing rooms of London as broadly as possible, and see if you can recognize your intruder. One never knows, you might recognize him by the eyes, or the, er—thumbs.”
    “But I can do that anytime.”
    “The sooner you get a start on it, the better.”
    “Yes, but in this howling storm, the attendance at parties will be limited.”
    “It takes more than a snowstorm to slow the Frenchies. Are we English to trail them in the pursuit of duty?”
    “No, by gad. I shall go out if I have to take a shovel with me to clear my way.”
    Miss Lyman, Costain observed, was looking at him askance. She also had to be conciliated. “I trust you have not forgotten I am to call on you this evening, ma’am?”
    “No, I have not forgotten.”
    “Will nine o’clock be convenient? I promise I shan’t stay long.”
    “Stay as