_We_ know that you are incapable of telling anything but the truth!' She had almost reached the door when she became aware of the flowers in her hand; she hurried back.

'Oh, I forgot! Costantina sent these with her--with----' She faltered; her audacity did not go quite that far.
Tony reached for them.

'With what ?' he insisted.
She laughed; and a second later the door closed behind her.

He stood staring at the door till he heard the key turn in the lock, then he looked down at the flowers in his hand.

A note was tied to the stems; his fingers trembled as he worked with the knot.
'_Caro Antonio mio_,' it commenced; he could read that.