“Did you meet anyone?”
“Not a soul.”
“And you pulled the plug out and cut the boat: adrift?”
“Pulled the plug out and cut the boat adrift!” she repeated after him, amazed. “No; you never told me to do that!”
“Pardon me,” he said, “that was the most important thing of all. It is essential that there should be no trace of the boat.”
“I didn’t understand,” she faltered. “I’m so sorry. I never heard——”
“I regret I didn’t make myself more clear,” he remarked. “You see, at intervals during the night the watchmen do their patrols, and I know there is a regular inspection of the terrace. Supposing the boat is seen?”
“I really don’t remember, that you asked me to do that,” she persisted.
“Anyhow,” he said politely, “what you have done deserves all my praise and gratitude. But——”
“You would like me to go and sink the boat, wouldn’t you?”