The Affair of the Mutilated Mink by James Anderson Page B

withdrew. Half a minute passed and then he reappeared, to announce solemnly, 'Signorina Lorenzo.'
    There was a stunned silence as a magnificent figure swept imperiously into the room. She was about thirty-five, tall, with long, jet-black hair, dark flashing eyes and a flawless complexion. Her features, bold and regular, were more striking than beautiful. She looked as though she might have a superb figure; however, at the moment, it was obscured by a sumptuous mink coat, which made the eyes of every woman present widen. On her head she wore a toque in matching fur.
    She stood, regally surveying the room.
    Rex muttered, 'Holy mackerel! It's Laura Lorenzo.'
    Haggermeir stepped somewhat hesitantly forward. 'Signorina Lorenzo? This is, er, indeed a great . . .'
    She eyed him up and down. 'Who are you?'
    'Oh - sorry - I'm, er, Cyrus Haggermeir. I believe you—'
    'Ah.' She gave a satisfied nod. 'You are Haggermeir. So, Meesta Producer, you want Laura Lorenzo, eh? Well, here she is. Perhaps you will have her - if you can sateesfy her. But it will cost you. Oh yes, it will cost you many dollars.'
    For several seconds Haggermeir gazed at the woman, speechless. At last he managed to stammer, 'I - I see. Well, that's - that's certainly a most interesting . . . Do I - er, understand that you're offering me your services?'
    'That is what I am here to talk about, is it not?'
    'You are? I see. Well, in that case, perhaps . . .'
    She said, 'Are you seek?'
    'Seek? Oh, sick . No, I'm fine.'
    'Then why you behave like an imbecile?'
    Haggermeir's eyes bulged and Rex gave a snort of suppressed laughter. Laura bestowed on him a crushing glance - into which puzzled semi-recognition could be read - before turning back to Haggermeir. 'I have met many producers. Some have been peegs, others Pheelistines or creeminals. But never have I met one who was a fool. Now, do you or do you not want me for your talkie.'
    Haggermeir coughed. 'Gee, that'd be swell. I hadn't given the possibility any thought, but—'
    ' You have not given the posseebility any thought ?' Laura positively screeched the words. 'Do you dare say that after you send me the telegram pleading with me to come here and talk about it?'
    'I sent you no telegram.'
    Laura froze. Then she spun on her heel and strode out of the room. As she did so she called loudly, 'Eloise! My handbag. Quickly!'
    For seconds nobody spoke. There was a general letting out of breath. It was Lady Burford who found her tongue first. In a voice touched with ice, she asked of anybody who cared to answer, 'Who is that woman? She is, I take it, an actress of some sort?'
    'Just about the best dramatic actress in Italy,' Rex said, 'perhaps in the whole of Europe.'
    Hugh nodded firmly. 'Certainly among, the top half dozen. And she's actually considering signing with Haggermeir . . .' He gazed at the producer with an expression of incredulity.
    'Must say I've never heard of her,' Lord Burford remarked.
    Rex said, 'Well, she's not done any English-language pictures for years — not since she made her name. In the States you can only see her movies in little art houses in the big cities. But she's the darling of the highbrow critics. And most of the Hollywood moguls have been trying to sign her for years.'
    At that moment Laura again sailed into the room. She was carrying a telegram. This she thrust into Haggermeir's hand with a triumphant gesture. Haggermeir stared at it for a few seconds, then said, 'I know nothing of this.'
    Laura scrutinised his features in silence for a moment, her own face darkening, her fingers twitching, her body almost seeming to pulsate before them. It was, as Gerry later remarked, like waiting for Vesuvius to erupt. Then she suddenly burst into a stream of impossibly rapid and passionate Italian. Her arms flailed, her eyes flashed. Vehemently she addressed the ceiling and each corner of the room in turn. There was clearly only one thing to do, and that was wait for her to run down. Gradually she did