Chapter TwoLord Mere arrived in Florence and drove immediately to a villa on the outskirts of the City that belonged to a friend of his.
He had sent a telegram announcing his arrival and Sir Julius Cazenove was waiting for him with outstretched hands.
An elderly man, he had retired to live in Florence three years before and, as he was unmarried, he was in consequence often lonely for his English friends.
“My dear Ingram!” he exclaimed. “I cannot imagine anybody I would rather see at this moment than you!”
“It is very good of you to have me,” Lord Mere replied, “and at such short notice.”
“Have I ever known you to give anything else?” Sir Julius smiled. “Do sit down, I have opened a bottle of very special wine that I think you will enjoy.”
A footman poured the wine into two glasses an
