"I live
close there."
She was smiling at me with placid amicability. I was a little taken aback
and hesitated.
"You come," she whispered persuasively. "No. 36, over the tailor's shop.
You will find it easily. Afterwards I come here to dine! So?"
I was on the horns of a dilemma, for while my acceptance of her
invitation might land me in a somewhat embarrassing position, I was still
anxious to know exactly what her reasons were for asking me. She leaned
a little closer towards me. Her black eyes were very bright and
sparkling.
"I expect you," she declared. "So!"
I bowed.
"Thank you very much," I said, "I will come!"
She paid her bill and departed. I opened the door for her myself, and she
whispered something in my ear as she went out. Karl, who had been
watching us curiously, came up to me a few moments later.
"You know who she is?" he asked.
"Hirsch's wife," I answered, nodding.
"You had better be careful," he said slowly. "Hirsch is not a safe man to
play tricks with."
I told Guest what had passed. He agreed with me that it was an
embarrassing position, but he was insistent that I should go.
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