The Councillors of Falconhoe by Fred M. White

The unhappy Lombaso had spent the early hours of the morning pending the arrival of the Councillors of Falconhoe in mournful confabulation with the Marquis, until, quite exhausted by his efforts to think out some scheme, he had gone home with the intention of seeing his friend again later on. As a matter of fact, el Navarro had said nothing to him as to the advent of the Councillors, thinking it better not to do so for the moment. Nor did he mention them when trying to get Lombaso on the telephone.

That was not a difficult matter, early as it was, for the young Duke had not gone to bed, and was still sitting up in his private apartment when the message came. He would only be too glad, he said, to come round at once, anything better than sitting there eating his heart out and waiting on events.