"Let him gorge himself upon his Death's Head Soup and his Cream of
Undertakers!"
There was every symptom of a general stampede from the apartment. Just
as the rush was beginning Gardiner's voice made itself audible above
the din.
"Gentlemen, one moment, if you please. Am I to understand that the
arrangements which have been made for you, as Members of the Thirteen
Club, do not meet with your approval?"
"You are!"
"Then--they shall be changed!"
Precisely what took place I do not know. On a sudden the greenish
coloured lights went out. The room was plunged into darkness. In the
midst of the consequent confusion mysterious sounds were heard as of
persons rushing hither and thither; of the swishing of draperies.
People cannoned against me when I moved. That we were about to be the
victims of some final, stranger outrage I greatly feared. Perhaps those
miscreants whom Gardiner had engaged as waiters were preparing to dip
their hands deeper still in crime. I endeavoured to retain my presence
of mind, prepared to play the man, though expectant of the worst.
All in an instant, while I was straining my eyes to see what was
happening in the darkness, the gloom was gone, the room flashed into
radiant brightness. Not lit this time by greenish globes, but by a
hundred incandescent lamps which starred the ceiling. And when by
degrees our dazzled gaze became accustomed to the unexpected
illumination, we recognised that a transformation scene had taken
place. There were no funereal hangings, but gaily-frescoed walls. No
sombre-looking board, fantastically disfigured, but an inviting-looking
table, covered with snow-white drapery, decked with glittering glass
and flashing silver. No blood-red figures suggestive of the assistants
of the Holy Office, but a dozen smiling waiters, immaculately clad. And
at the table's head stood Gardiner, who, with outstretched hand,
invited us to take our seats. "Gentlemen, the Inaugural Dinner of the
Thirteen Club is at an end, and with it the Club. A dinner of another
sort is ready to be served. I beg you will do me the honour of
partaking of it as my guests."