An Affair For the Baron by John Creasey Page A

line.”
    Mannering relaxed his hold on the telephone. Ethel took it eagerly, seemed to take a very deep breath, and then said: “Are you all right, Daddy?”
    Mannering moved away, torn between waiting to hear every word, in case any had special significance, and wanting the girl to have at least a sense of privacy. For a few minutes she talked reassuringly, and then her tone changed. She called: “Mr. Mannering.”
    He looked round to see her covering the mouthpiece with one hand and looking at him.
    â€œMay I give Daddy your name?”
    â€œYes, of course.”
    She took her hand away.
    â€œI’m with Mr. John Mannering, the antique dealer … Yes, Mannering … Well, he’s heard of you … Yes, he’s been a very great help … Yes, I do … Well, I think I can … Oh, Daddy!” There was exasperation in her voice. She listened for a long time, and then spoke quite sharply: “We haven’t any choice … For goodness sake, can’t you believe me?” During all this she was looking across at Mannering, and he was amused by her expression, as well as with the way she had lost patience with her father. Suddenly she burst out: “Oh, you’re impossible, you really are! … Very well, he has the packet, I haven’t, so we’ve got to trust him.”
    Mannering chuckled.
    â€œAnd it’s a good thing he’s good-humoured about it. If it weren’t for him heaven knows what would have happened to me.” She listened for a few more minutes with obviously increasing annoyance, and then said in a tone of finality: “ I can’t promise that. You must speak to Mr. Mannering.”
    She thrust the telephone towards Mannering.
    â€œHe’s quite impossible,” she declared. “You’d better talk to him.”
    Mannering took the instrument and as he held it to his ear, Alundo was saying in a tone quite as sharp as his daughter’s: “… you really must do as I say, Ethel. This is a matter of extreme importance to me. Surely you have sufficient ingenuity to take it when he is not looking.”
    â€œWhy don’t you come and get it yourself?” suggested Mannering sweetly.
    He heard Alundo catch his breath, and waited for an outpouring of apology. But none came.
    â€œMr. Mannering, that packet is mine. It is of value and of significance only to me. You have no right to it. If you are a man of integrity you will give it back to my daughter at once, and allow her to carry out my instructions. I insist that you waste no more time.”
    â€œI’m afraid it won’t be so easy as that.”
    â€œIf you want money,” Alundo interrupted coldly, “I must inform you that I am a poor man. My daughter has to earn her own living.”
    â€œSo I gathered,” Mannering said. “I will be in the coffee shop of the Conrad Hilton Hotel at eleven o’clock exactly, with your daughter. If you want to see—”
    â€œMannering! That is impracticable. I cannot possibly be there! I have to be here, so as—”
    â€œWhere are you?” Mannering demanded.
    â€œThat—that is beside the point. Mr. Mannering, I must insist that you do as I say, and at once. Give the packet to my daughter, and let me talk to her. This is”—he hesitated, then went on as if inspired—“a very personal, indeed, a family matter.”
    â€œProfessor Alundo,” Mannering said, “Ethel and I are in Room 1515 at the Conrad Hilton, and will stay here for the next two hours.”
    He put the telephone down with enough noise for Alundo to hear. Ethel, only a little way from him, looked into his eyes.
    â€œThat’s the only way to deal with him in these circumstances,” she approved. “He really can be the most stubborn man alive. I’m sorry. Of course he doesn’t know yet what you’ve done for me, but”—she shrugged—“well, even