"
Campion gave willing consent. "How long will you be away?"
"That depends," said I, with a smile which I meant to be enigmatic, but
assuredly must have been fatuous, "upon my powers of persuasion."
I had bright thoughts of going to Berlin and back in a meteoric flash,
bringing Lola with me on my return journey, to marry her out of hand
as soon as we reached London. Cats and Winter Gartens concerned me but
little, and of trifles like contracts I took no account.
"If you're there any time," said Campion, tugging thoughtfully at his
black beard, "you might look into what the Germans are doing with regard
to Female Rescue Work. You might pick up a practical tip or two for use
down here."
What a thing it is to be a man of one idea! I gave him an evasive answer
and rushed away to make the necessary preparations for my journey. I was
absurdly, boyishly happy. No doubt as to my success crossed my mind.
It was to be my final and triumphant adventure. Unless the High Powers
stove a hole in the steamer or sent another railway train to collide
with mine, the non-attainment of my object seemed impossible.
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