She could even smell brandy on his breath.
"Your English is admirable!" she answered, as mockingly.
"As your energy!" he retorted, taking a step nearer the still open door.

Then he looked about the room, slowly and comprehensively.

On his face, in the strong sidelight, she could see mirrored each fresh discovery, as step by step he covered the course of the completed invasion.

She followed his gaze, which now rested on the rifled safe.
A little oath, in Russian, suddenly escaped his lips.
Then he turned and strode into the anteroom, and she could hear him making fast and locking the outer hall door.

Then he withdrew the key, and came back to her.
"I must still regard you, of course, as my guest," he said slowly, with his easy menace.
"You Europeans always give us lessons in the older virtues!" she retorted, as mockingly as before, in her soft contralto.
He looked at her, for a moment, in puzzled wonder.