A Queen of the Stage by Fred M. White

Nothing but the grave, pained expression on Elsie's face saved Sefton from an outburst of laughter. He did not fail to grasp the gravity of the situation, but could not blind himself to the farcical side of the case.

"This is the most extraordinary thing I ever heard of," he said. "My duty lies quite plainly before me. I ought to go up to Lady Starfield at once and tell her everything that has happened. Only in a big crash like this where a Society hostess is merely on nodding terms with half her guests could such a thing happen. My dear Elsie, do you know what a serious thing it is to be the accomplice of a man for whose apprehension a warrant has been issued? Lady Starfield is very particular, too, and she would never forgive us if she knew that we had imported an embryo convict into her house. Of course, I will not say a word about this affair, and I must devise some means of getting you both away without a moment's delay. A flight of steps at the end of the next room leads to the garden which, for the time being, has been transformed into a huge conservatory. You will be safe there, and not likely to encounter Samuel Weiss. Leave everything to me, and I will see you come safely out of the trouble."