Chapter 26 Summary

Gerald Steiner meets with his staff to determine how best to proceed with Fallow's hot tip about Maria Ruskin. Four reporters have been assigned to do legwork for Fallow, but even so they've not been able to corroborate that she is the mystery brunette. Steiner comes up with an idea. He'll send Fallow to do a high-society profile story on Arthur Ruskin. If Fallow can get close enough to Ruskin, he may be able to learn more about Maria's whereabouts on the evening in question. Ruskin is flattered by Fallow's offer to write a story about him and invites Fallow to dine with him at the La Boue d'Argent, an extremely fashionable restaurant frequented by the likes of Reverend Bacon. When they arrive, Ruskin is accorded the royal treatment by the restaurant staff. To Ruskin's obvious irritation, however, he must share the limelight...