“They attacked me, your honour,” said Ivan.
“Merely to get from you who was inside, I expect. So keep as vigilant a watch as you can, while I think what to do. Of course they must be kept out—at any rate, for a time.”
I had my purpose fixed already, and when Ivan had gone I turned to Helga, and found her eyes fixed upon my face steadily. I did not wish her to read my thoughts, and forced up a smile.
“I think Ivan has unnecessarily alarmed us, mademoiselle.”
“I am trying to guess what is in your thoughts, monsieur.”
“I shall be very happy to tell you. I think these men have come to watch the house, as their habit is,” I replied briefly.
“What an actor you are!”
“A man who has knocked about the world as I have picks up the knack, more or less, I suppose. I seem to have played the part with you a bit too well, I am afraid. I should like you to know that I’m horribly sorry and horribly ashamed.”
“To-night when you spoke of my leaving here with you, you allowed me to deceive myself. You allowed it intentionally.”
“Yes; I did more. I encouraged the deception. I suppose you can’t think a man would do a mean thing for any but a mean motive, yet I——” I broke off, and threw up my hands. “It’s no use trying to explain all I felt. I can’t do it.” We were standing in the large square hall, and I walked to one end and stood by the great stove. “When I look at you and think of it, I feel like what they said of me in there—a spy. I was one when I came to you.”