"The Chateau?" he inquired;--and when she nodded he leaned forward and
gave the order.
"I was surprised to see you--" he began.
"Why pretend you were surprised to see me?" she laughed. "You were not;
nor am I to see you. We are too old foes to pretend as to the
non-essentials--when each knows them. The cards are on the table, Guy,
play them open."
"How many cards are on the table?" he asked.
"All of mine."
"Then it's double dummy--with a blind deck on the side."
"Whose side?" she flashed back.
"Yours!" he returned pleasantly.
"What am I concealing?" she demanded.
"I don't know. If I did--it would be easier for me."
"The one thing I haven't told you, I can't tell you: the precise
character of the business that brings me here. I've told you all I
know--and broken my oath to do it. I can't well do more, Guy."
"No, you can't well do more," Harleston conceded. "And I can't well do
less under all the--admitted circumstances; inferentially and directly
admitted."
"Why did you--butt in?" she asked. "Why didn't you let the cab, and the
letter, and well enough alone?"
"It was so mysterious; and so full of possibilities," he smiled. "And
when I did it, I didn't know that you were interested.
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