Damsel in Distress by Carola Dunn

that’ll do. Now, maybe you can advise me what to say when people ask where Gloria is. We’ve gotten kinda buddy-buddy with some of the folks at the Abbey Hotel, see. They’re sure to ask. The last thing I want is for anyone to think there’s something fishy going on, or next thing we know some busybody will be starting rumours that’ll get to the ears of the police.”
    â€œOh … er … .” Phillip look for inspiration to one of the plaster cupids on the ceiling. He was racked by a sudden vision of Arbuckle disenchanted with him and turning for advice to that bounder at the hotel, Major Purvis, who had his eye on Gloria.
    â€œThe best I can come up with is to say she wasn’t feeling too good so I sent her to Lunnon to see one of those classy Harley Street doctors. Only no one would believe I let her go alone.”
    â€œI should rather think not! Besides the Harley Street johnnies aren’t on call at the weekend like one’s local medico. Can’t you just tell people she’s gone to stay with friends for a few days?”
    â€œBut they’ll want to know who, and where, and why I haven’t gone too. Wise me up. Give me some plausible answers, something that won’t make ’em raise their eyebrows. Your English swells have a way of raising their eyebrows, and I never can be sure what’s going to get ’em going.”
    â€œBy Jove, sir, if anyone asks such infernally impertinent questions, you jolly well raise your eyebrows at them . Not at all the thing.”

    Arbuckle was surprised into a snort of laughter. “Attaboy,” he said, standing up. “I figured you’d come through with the goods. Waal, I’d better be getting back to the hotel.”
    â€œWould you like me to come with you?”
    â€œI don’t say I wouldn’t appreciate your company, son, but that surely would raise eyebrows, you calling on me when Gloria’s gone off visiting.” His knowing look made Phillip blush. “No, you’ll have to steer clear of the hotel. Better not come into town, either, because I’ll be damned if Gloria would have accepted an invitation from anyone but royalty knowing you’d be in this part of the country. I’ll be able to get hold of you here?”
    â€œFor the present.” Phillip was suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of fatigue. He really was too rocky to face his family’s inevitable questions if he went home. No earthly use raising his eyebrows at them! “I’ll ring you up before I leave. You will keep me in the picture, let me know at once if there’s anything I can do? Anything at all!”
    â€œSure thing. Just be careful what you say on the ’phone.” Arbuckle wrote down the Dalrymples’ telephone number. Shaking Phillip’s hand, he said, “I reckon my girl’s found her a mighty fine guy, yes sirree. Now don’t you go tearing your hair. I’ll pay whatever they ask. Gloria’s going to be okay.”
    If so, Phillip thought miserably, escorting his visitor down to the hall, why was her father so haggard?
    For want of anything more helpful to do, he trudged back up to the bedroom. How he wished he were the clever sort of chap who always knew the answers, who had a plan at his fingertips to meet any situation! Someone like Bulldog Drummond, who not only knew just what to do but had the devil’s own luck. Perhaps if he sat down, closed his eyes, and concentrated … .
    Or lay down. His bones ached and the bed looked awfully inviting. One could think just as well prone as sitting up, he assured himself, as he hung his jacket on the back of a chair,
kicked off his shoes, and stretched out on top of the bedspread.
    Sleep hit too fast to be resisted.
    Â 
    When Phillip woke up, he knew precisely what to do. The notion buzzing around in his brain was an absolute corker, he decided, examining it from every angle.
    What did Bulldog Drummond