She whispered a syllable of warning, and the dishes were hurriedly withdrawn as Norbert Flitcroft, wearing a solemn expression of injury, came out upon the veranda.
He halted suddenly."What's that?" he asked, with suspicion.
"Nothing," answered Ariel, sharply."Where?""Behind those palms.""Probably your own shadow," she laughed; "or it might have been a draught moving the leaves."He did not seem satisfied, but stared hard at the spot where the dishes had disappeared, meantime edging back cautiously nearer the window.
"They want you," he said, after a pause."Some one's come for you.""Oh, is grandfather waiting?" She rose, at the same time letting her handkerchief fall.She stooped to pick it up, with her face away from Norbert and towards the palms, whispering tremulously, but with passionate urgency, "Please GO!""It isn't your grandfather that has come for you," said the fat one, slowly."It is old Eskew Arp.Something's happened."She looked at him for a moment, beginning to tremble violently, her eyes growing wide with fright.
"Is my grandfather--is he sick?"
"You better go and see.Old Eskew's waiting in the hall.He'll tell you."She was by him and through the window instantly.