But at last she murmured: "Why do you speak of tricks?
Simon, why do you laugh ?" "Why, since by a trick you left me--indeed I cannot believe it was no trick." "I swear it was no trick!" "I warrant it was.

And thus by a trick I have contrived to thwart it." "By a trick ?" "Most assuredly.

Am I a man to drown with half a mile's swimming in smooth water ?" Again I laughed.
She leant forward and spoke in an agitated voice, yet imperiously.
"Tell me the truth.

Were you indeed in danger and distress ?" "Not a whit," said I composedly.

"But you wouldn't wait for me." Slowly came her next question.
"It was a trick, then ?" "And crowned with great success," said I.
"All a trick ?" "Throughout," I answered.
Her face grew set and rigid, and, if it might be, yet paler than before.
I waited for her to speak, but she said nothing.