Van Aldin laughed amusedly。
〃I guess so。 You see； they are my little present for Ruthie。〃
The secretary smiled discreetly。
〃I can understand now Mrs Kettering's anxiety over the telephone；〃 he murmured。 But Van Aldin shook his head。 The hard look returned to his face。
〃You are wrong there；〃 he said。 〃She doesn't know about these； they are my little surprise for her。〃
He shut the case； and began slowly to wrap it up again。
〃It's a hard thing； Knighton；〃 he said； 〃how little one can do for those one loves。 I can buy a good portion of the earth for Ruth； if it would be any use to her； but it isn't。 I can hang these things round her neck and give her a moment or two's pleasure； maybe； but …〃
He shook his head。
〃When a woman is not happy in her home …〃
He left the sentence unfinished。 The secretary nodded discreetly。 He knew； none better； the reputation of the Hon Derek Kettering。 Van Aldin sighed。 Slipping the parcel back in his coat pocket； he nodded to Knighton and left the room。
Chapter 4
IN CURZON STREET
The Hon Mrs Derek Kettering lived in Curzon Street。 The butler who opened the door recognized Rufus Van Aldin at once and permitted himself a discreet smile of greeting。 He led the way upstairs to the big double drawing…room on the first floor。
A woman who was sitting by the window started up with a cry。
〃Why； Dad； if that isn't too good for anything！ I've been telephoning Ma