"I think Rosa will help us."
"But this fellow, Feldmann?"
"You needn't trouble about him. He worships her, and the instant he knows her cousin is drowned and the way is clear for him, he'll be ready to—well, to do anything she wishes."
"That's good hearing, anyhow, but I wish she'd look sharp and make her mind up."
Nessa laughed gently. "You don't understand girls, Jack. Her mind was made up before she left us two together. She's one of the kindest-hearted souls in the world."
But Rosa seemed in no hurry to come back to us, and before she could tell us her decision, the opportunity passed, for Hans came in with a man whom Nessa whispered to me was Feldmann himself.
Rosa introduced me to him as her cousin. This set me speculating whether it was an indication of her intention or merely a sign that she had not yet decided what to do, and I was worrying over it as I returned his stiff and rather discourteous greeting, when Hoffnung followed.
After a few words of general conversation Hoffnung drew me aside, and I had a significant proof of von Erstein's intimate acquaintance with official matters. He had puzzled me earlier in the day by saying that I had to interview a Baron von Gratzen the next morning, and Hoffnung now brought me the note making the appointment for eleven o'clock.
"How's the memory, Lassen?"
"Pretty much the same," said I, shrugging. He had evidently abandoned all his former suspicions, I was glad to see.