'Perhaps it's Mr Blank' (not for worlds would I give the name).
'He's a Masonic High Priest, you know.'

A porter was sent away to look for Mr Asterisk (I cannot give his
name), and the children were left there to look on and be looked on
by all the gentlemen at the mahogany desks. Anthea and Jane
thought that they looked kind. The boys thought they stared, and
that it was like their cheek.

The porter returned with the news that Mr Dot Dash Dot (I dare not
reveal his name) was out, but that Mr--

Here a really delightful gentleman appeared. He had a beard and a
kind and merry eye, and each one of the four knew at once that this
was a man who had kiddies of his own and could understand what you
were talking about. Yet it was a difficult thing to explain.

'What is it?' he asked. 'Mr'--he named the name which I will never
reveal--'is out. Can I do anything?'

'Inner sanctuary,' murmured the Phoenix.

'I beg your pardon,' said the nice gentleman, who thought it was
Robert who had spoken.

'We have something to tell you,' said Cyril, 'but'--he glanced at
the porter, who was lingering much nearer than he need have
done--'this is a very public place.'

The nice gentleman laughed.