“And that Dr. Barosa, does he take me for a spy?”
“No, we have already made inquiries about you from our friends in England. But, like myself, he wishes to know why you are here. You will do well to give me your confidence.”
“And your other colleague—Major Sampayo?”
“I did not tell you that he was with us.”
“Not in so many words. And really I don’t care.”
“He will remember where he has met you before, and the facts may help us to know more about you—for your benefit or otherwise.”
“My dear madame, if you mean that for a threat, it does not in the least alarm me. Let me tell you once for all I am not a member of the English detective force; my presence here has not the remotest connexion with your politics or your plots; and I have no sort of sympathy with them one way or another. I am just an average Englishman; and as such claim the right to go where I will when I will, so long as I mind my own business. And as an Englishman I can take care of myself and must decline to be frightened out of doing what I wish to do either by charming, cultured and handsome ladies, like yourself, or by such gutter scum as I had the tussle with last night.”
“Then you refuse to give me your confidence?”
“Let me put it rather that I have really no confidence worth giving. I shall hold absolutely secret what you have told me—that on my honour. And now do you mind if we talk about the scenery?”
“You will have cause to regret it, Mr. Donnington.”