"You are not thinking of making a confidant of an old widower like me, are you?"
"No, I am merely laying before you my qualifications."
"You know there is no room for heart in political intrigue? Tell me, then, plainly, what do you wish to do?"
"To lend my woman's wit to your Excellency's Government for a fair recompense."
"What could you do?"
There was a return to his former indulgent superiority in the question which nettled me.
"I could use opportunities as your agents cannot."
"How? By other clever guesses?"
"It was no guess. I have seen the jewels in Madame d'Artelle's possession."
He tried not to appear surprised, but the effort was a failure.