"Yes," answered the other absently. "Jack, of course you didn't write 'Love in a Cloud'?"
"Of course not. What an idiotic idea!"
"Fairfield said Barnstable had been accusing you of it, but I knew it couldn't be anything but his crazy nonsense. Of course the Count didn't write it either?"
Jack eyed his companion inquiringly.
"Look here, Tom," he said, "What are you driving at? Of course the Count didn't write it. You are about as crazy as Barnstable."
"Oh, I never thought he was the man; but who the deuce is it?"
"Why should you care?"
Harbinger leaned forward to the grate, and began to pound the coal with the poker in a way that bespoke embarrassment. Suddenly he turned, and broke out explosively.
"I should think I ought to care to know what man my wife is writing letters to! You heard her say she wrote that letter to Christopher Calumus."
Jack gave a snort of mingled contempt and amusement.