“I don’t follow your idea, Ned.”
Hickson sighed. “Why, as long as you recognize the impossibility of the marriage, couldn’t you in some way make it appear that the breaking of the engagement came from you—as—if—”
“I see,” said Riatt. There was a short silence, and then he asked in a tone that sounded perfectly calm to Hickson: “Is this a message from Christine?”
“Oh, no. Not a message from Christine, though she has been trying to communicate with you for two days. She can’t see why you won’t even answer her letters. I told her I would find you—”
“In fact, it is a message, or at least you are her messenger?”
“No, Riatt, at least not from her. I have a message for you, but not from her.”
“From whom?”
“From Linburne. He has the greatest admiration for your power, abilities, in spite of any differences you may have had. He wants to offer you a position, only he felt awkward about doing it himself after what has taken place. He asked me to speak to you. It’s a good salary, only it means going to Manchuria, no—”
“One moment,” said Riatt. “These two messages, are they in any way connected?”
“I don’t understand.”