profession, and, knowing it, could not sink. Consciousness was the
thing. She was not going into this fight soft-handed or softhearted. She
knew. There was high adventure in store for her yet. If she must fish it
should be for trout not chub. Like a wise woman, she would not love
lightly, but where money is. There should be no waiting, no hesitating.
That very night she would sup at the Hotel Vesuvius . . . all in black
. . . like an ivory Madonna set in ebony . . . with a tea rose in her hair
as a foil to her shoulders . . . and sweeping jade earrings which would
swim like butterflies in the heavy hair. Ah, it would be high adventure
when Demetrious knelt at the feet of Aphrodite with jewels in his
sunburnt palm, when Croesus bargained away for a smile a half of his
Lydian wealth.

She got up, a glow in her veins as if the lust of battle was upon her.
Quickly she walked out of the park to conquer the town. A few yards
beyond the gates newspaper placards shouted the sensation of the day;
placards pink, brown, green, all telling the tale of murder, advertising
for a penny the transitory joy of the fact. Victoria smiled and walked
on. She let herself into the house. It was on the stroke of one. She sat
down at the table, pressing the bell down with her foot.

'Hurry up, Mary,' she said, 'I'm as hungry as a hunter.'

A voice floated through the window like an echo: 'Irish murder; latest
details.'

'Shut the window, Mary,' she said sharply.

CHAPTER VII

THE Hotel Vesuvius is a singular place. It stands on the north side of
Piccadilly, and for the general its stuccoed front and severe sash
windows breathe an air of early Victorian respectability. Probably it
was once a ducal mansion, for it has all the necessary ugliness,
solidity and size; now it is the most remarkable instance of what can be
done by a proprietor who remembers that an address in Piccadilly exempts
him from the rules which govern Bloomsbury. One enters it through a
small hall all alight with white and gold paint. Right and left are the
saloon bar and the buffet; this enables the customer to select either
without altering the character of his accommodation, while assuming
superiority for a judicious choice. A broad straight staircase leads up
to the big supper room on the first floor. Above are a score of private
dining-rooms.

Victoria jumped out of the cab and walked up the steps, handing the
liveried commissionaire two shillings to pay th