“You have seen our passports proving that.”

“Now you can speak to her,” he said to his man. I saw the scheme of course, instantly.

“You are Miss Garrett?” the man asked in excellent English.

Lies, like curses, have a nasty habit of coming home to roost; and for the moment I was at the end of my wits. The game was nearly up.

“Yes,” said Volna, very nervously.

“My superior doubts that you are English; just tell me anything you please that I may hear you speak English!”

“Don’t bother with him, Peggy,” I declared in English, putting up a last bluff of indignation. “I’m not going to have my sister bullied. Put your questions to me.”

“It is a very simple test.”

“Hang your simple tests. We’ve had more than enough of your tomfoolery.”

“You refuse to speak?” he asked her again.