“That is because you do not know. I would sooner see a raven flying than joke about killing. If you wish me to like you, you must not say such things.”
“I apologise,” said Graham, mildly. “Actually I cut my hand with a razor.”
“Ah, they are dangerous things! In Algiers José saw a man with his throat cut from ear to ear with a razor.”
“Suicide?”
“No, no! It was his petite amie who did it. There was a lot of blood. José will tell you about it if you ask him. It was very sad.”
“Yes, I can imagine. José is travelling with you, then?”
“Naturally.” And then, with a sidelong look: “He is my husband.”
Her husband! That explained why she “put up with” José. It also explained why Colonel Haki had omitted to tell him that the “dancing blonde” was travelling on the boat. Graham remembered the promptitude with which José had retired from the dressing-room. That, no doubt, had been a matter of business. Attractions at a place like Le Jockey Cabaret were not quite so attractive if they were known to have husbands in the vicinity. He said: “Kopeikin didn’t tell me that you were married.”
“Kopeikin is very nice, but he does not know everything. But I will tell you confidentially that with José and me it is an arrangement. We are partners, nothing more. He is jealous about me only when I neglect business for pleasure.”
She said it indifferently, as if she were discussing a clause in her contract.