Would you object to driving with me--say as far as Mentone and back ?" "I will come if you wish it," she answered, looking a little surprised.
"Wait while I get my cloak." Hunterleys hired an automobile below and they drove off.

As soon as they were out of the main street, he thrust his hand into the breast-pocket of his coat and smoothed out that half-sheet of notepaper upon his knee.
"Violet," he said, "please read that." She read the few lines instructing the English Bank to hand over Sir Henry Hunterleys' letters to the bearer.

Then she looked up at him with a puzzled frown.
"I don't understand." "Did you write that ?" he enquired.
She looked at him indignantly.
"What an absurd question!" she exclaimed.

"Your correspondence has no interest for me." Her denial, so natural, so obviously truthful, was a surprise to him.

He felt a sudden impulse of joy, mingled with shame.