"Meanwhile, and returning to the letter; who has the better
title to possession, Mrs. Clephane or yourself?"
"As I remarked before, either of us has a better title to the letter
than yourself. Also--I have heard you say it many times, and it is an
accepted rule in the diplomatic game--never meddle in what does not
concern you; never help to pull another's chestnuts out of the fire."
"My dear lady, you are perfectly right! I subscribe unreservedly to the
rule, and try to follow it; but you have overlooked another rule--the
most vital of the code."
"What is it, pray!"
"The old rule:--Never believe your adversary. Never tell the
truth--except when the truth will deceive more effectively than a lie."
"That is entirely regular, yet not applicable to the present matter. I'm
_not_ your adversary."
"You say you're not--yet how does that avoid the rule?"
"Won't you take my word, Guy?" she murmured.
"I am at a loss whether to take it or not," he reflected; "being so,
I'm in a state of equipoise until I'm shown."
"Tell me how I can show you?" she smiled.
"I haven't the remotest idea. You know as well as I that if you were to
tell me truthfully why you are here, and what you aim to accomplish, I
couldn't accept your story; I should have to substantiate it by other
means.
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