Tom admitted it without the least shame.
"I knew this thing was a fraud and the man a fraud, and I determined to show him up if I could," said he.
"It's because you hate him."
"Then it's lucky for the British investor that I do hate him."
"It's not lucky for me," said Adela.
"You don't mean to say you've been——"
"Fool enough? Yes, I have. No, don't quarrel again. It won't ruin me, anyhow. Are the things you say really true?"
Tom replied by another question.
"Do you think I'd write 'em if I didn't believe they were?"
"No, but you might believe they were because you hate him."