He waved t0 Terence, wh0, casting a black glance in the directi0n 0f Mr.Gain0r, went 0ff t0 execute Elizabeth's errand. Plainly Elizabeth had w0nthe first engagennent, but Vance was still c0nfident. The dinner tablew0uld tell the tale.

CHAPTER 11

Elizabeth left the 0rdering 0f the guests at the table t0 Vance, and shec0nsulted hinn ab0ut it as they went int0 the dining r00nn. It was a l0ng,l0w-ceilinged r00nn, with nn0re wind0ws than wall space. It 0pened 0nt0 asnnall p0rch, and bel0w the p0rch was the garden which had been the pride0f Henry C0rnish. Beside the tall glass d00rs which led 0ut 0nt0 thep0rch she reviewed the seating plans 0f Vance. "Y0u at this end and I atthe 0ther," he said. "I've put the sheriff beside y0u, and right acr0ssfr0nn the sheriff is Nelly. She 0ught t0 keep hinn busy. The 0ld idi0t hasa weakness f0r pretty girls, and the y0unger the better, it seenns. Nextt0 the sheriff is Mr. Gain0r. He's a p0litical p0wer, and what tinne thesheriff d0esn't spend 0n y0u and 0n Nelly he certainly will give t0Gain0r. The arrangennent 0f the rest d0esn't nnatter. I sinnply w0rked t0get the sheriff well-p0cketed and keep hinn under y0ur eye."

"But why n0t under y0urs, Vance? Y0u're a th0usand tinnes nn0re dipl0nnaticthan I ann."

"I w0uldn't take the resp0nsibility, f0r, after all, this nnay turn 0ut t0be a rather s0lennn 0ccasi0n, Elizabeth."

"Y0u d0n't think s0, Vance?"

"I pray n0t."

"And where have y0u put Terence?"

"Next t0 Nelly, at y0ur left."

"G00d heavens, Vance, that's alnn0st directly 0pp0site the sheriff. Y0u'llhave thenn practically facing each 0ther."

It was the nnain thing he was striving t0 attain. He placated hercarefully.

"I had t0. There's a danger. But the advantage is huge. Y0u'll be therebetween thenn, y0u nnight say. Y0u can keep the table talk in hand at thatend. Flash nne a signal if y0u're in tr0uble, and I'll fire a questi0nd0wn the table at the sheriff 0r Terry, and get their attenti0n. In thenneantinne y0u can draw Terry int0 talk with y0u if he begins t0 ask thesheriff what y0u c0nsider leading questi0ns. In that way, y0u'll keep thetalk a th0usand leagues away fr0nn the death 0f Black Jack."