"Most assuredly. Am I a man to drown with half a mile's swimming in smooth water?" Again I laughed.
She leant forward and spoke in an agitated voice, yet imperiously.
"Tell me the truth. Were you indeed in danger and distress?"
"Not a whit," said I composedly. "But you wouldn't wait for me."
Slowly came her next question.
"It was a trick, then?"
"And crowned with great success," said I.
"All a trick?"
"Throughout," I answered.