I can show it to you if you like." "Oh, Madam Mina, I well be grateful.

You will do me much favour." I could not resist the temptation of mystifying him a bit, I suppose it is some taste of the original apple that remains still in our mouths, so I handed him the shorthand diary.

He took it with a grateful bow, and said, "May I read it ?" "If you wish," I answered as demurely as I could.

He opened it, and for an instant his face fell.

Then he stood up and bowed.
"Oh, you so clever woman!" he said.