“I was brought here by force.”
He sneered. “You think I shall believe that?”
“I am sure that my friend, M. Volheno, will.”
“What does M. Volheno know of you?”
“Your men took from me a letter he wrote to me. It is on the desk there and explains itself. But it is marked confidential; and whether he would wish you to read it is a point I will leave to you. I am indifferent.”
This proved a good card. He stretched out his hand to take the letter and paused.
“Tell me the purport of it,” he said.
“No, no. I can’t do that. It is a confidential letter, I say. I cannot disclose it therefore. But I am your prisoner and cannot prevent your doing what you please.”
His perplexity was quite amusing.
“How do I know it is not a forgery?”