“This man who wants to kill you, imbecile! You do not tell me what you are going to do at Genoa.”
He shrugged. “I’ve taken your advice. I’m not troubling about him.”
“But you will go to the British Consul?”
“Yes.” The moment had come when he must do some really steady lying. “I shall go straight there. Afterwards I shall have to see one or two people on business. The train does not leave until two o’clock in the afternoon, so I think that I shall have time. We can meet on the train.”
She sighed. “So much business! But I shall see you for lunch, eh?”
“I’m afraid it’s unlikely. If we did arrange to meet I might not be able to keep the appointment. It’ll be best if we meet on the train.”
She turned her head a little sharply. “You are telling me the truth? You are not saying this because you have changed your mind?”
“My dear Josette!” He had opened his mouth to explain again that he had business to attend to, but had stopped himself in time. He must not protest too much.
She pressed his arm. “I did not mean to be disagreeable, chéri. It is only that I wish to be sure. We will meet at the train if you wish it. We can have a drink together at Torino. We reach there at four and stop for half an hour. It is because of the coaches from Milano. There are some nice places to drink in Torino. After the ship here it will be wonderful.”
“It’ll be splendid. What about José?”