"Yes, of course I know, but I'm not going to tell."
The Count considered for a moment, and then slowly drew out the letter addressed to Christopher Calumus. He looked at it wistfully, with the air of a man who is reluctantly abandoning the clue to an adventure which might have proved enchanting.
"But eet weell look what I was one great villaine dat fear," he said.
"Nonsense," returned Neligage, holding out the letter of Barnstable for exchange. "We know both sides of the business. All there is to it is that we both understand what a crochety old maid Miss Wentstile is."
Count Shimbowski smiled, and the exchange was effected. Jack turned May's letter over in his hand, and found it unopened.
"You're a gentleman, Count," he said, offering his hand.
"Of de course," the other replied, with an air of some surprise. "I am one Shimbowski."
"Well, I'm obliged to you," observed Jack, putting the letter in his pocket. "I'll try to keep gossip still."
"Oh, eet ees very leek," Shimbowski returned, waving his hand airily, "dat when I have read heem I geeve eet to Mees Wentsteele for one's self. Eet ees very leekly."
"All right," Jack laughed. "I'd like to see her read it. So long."