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Rohmer, Sax, 1883-1959

"The Yellow Claw"

Tell me if I
intrude upon other plans, because I am speaking selfishly; but I was on
my way to a lonely supper, and apart from the great pleasure which your
company would afford me, you would be such very good Samaritans if you
would join me."
Helen Cumberly, although she was succumbing rapidly to the singular
fascination of M. Max, exhibited a certain hesitancy. She was no
stranger to Bohemian customs, and if the distinguished Frenchman had
been an old friend of her companion's, she should have accepted without
demur; but she knew that the acquaintance had commenced in a Continental
railway train, and her natural prudence instinctively took up a brief
for the prosecution. But Denise Ryland had other views.
"My dear girl," she said, "you are not going to be so...
crack-brained... as to stand here... arguing and contracting...
rheumatism, lumbago... and other absurd complaints... when you know
PERFECTLY well that we had already arranged to go... to supper!" She
turned to the smiling Max. "This girl needs... DRAGGING out of... her
morbid self... M. Gaston! We'll accept... your cab, on the distinct...
understanding that YOU are to accept OUR invitation... to supper."
M. Max bowed agreeably.
"By all means let MY cab take us to YOUR supper," he said, laughing.


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