Part 26 (1/2)
She bit her lips ”I entleman”
”Ah! that was the fault of the top hat I'm really a detective and can't afford the luxury of sentier-nail, and watched hi eyes It was clear that she was not at ease, that she had not expected to find hi a woether blaht, like a book
”Well, what is it to be?”
She ,” she said, and smiled in pitiful appeal ”Ah, monsieur! once you would not have----”
”That line is useless,” said Lionel brutally He was playing for high stakes and could not afford to waste a trick ”Once I flirted and had the pleasure of a kiss Never again, my pretty schemer! So don't try it on!”
She looked bewildered
”You et to business What do you wish to know?”
”Where are the papers?”
She did not attempt to parry now ”They are not in this house”
”That is a lie”
She shrugged again
”Monsieur is not discri I tell you the truth I took the papers and have hidden them They are not here If you like, here are my keys”--she held them out--”you may search my boxes”
He looked steadily at her There was no wavering in her tone, no weakness in the eyes or mouth Belief was imperative
”Very well,” he said ”Where have you hidden them?”
”I will not tell you that”
”You know the penalty?”
”Yes, and I do not care I tell you so much, but not that”
Her voice was so inflexible, so cold and so indifferent that he felt defeat at hand
”Leave it for the present, then Have you sold them?”
”No They would not pay the price”
”And you are waiting till they increase their offer?”
”Perhaps”