She heard O'Reilly laughing. He wouldn't laugh if he could see what her eyes saw!
"So you want to call a truce?" he asked.
"Yes, if I could trust you."
"I like that! I wasn't the betrayer. But never mind. Your second thoughts are best. And anyhow, you weren't working for yourself. Do you really want my help?"
"Don't I? But it would be for—for——You know whom I mean. And you're her enemy, aren't you?"
"Not the least in the world. But I can't buy her pearls, and I'm sure Heron will refuse to bargain if——"
"The pearls aren't for sale any more. They've been stolen. She thinks you took them for a hold-up."
"The devil she does! But you know better. Tell me what you wish me to do for you, and I'll do it; I wanted to see you again. You were like a bad but interesting dream, broken off in the midst, that I longed to dream over again."
"I feel as if I had been broken off in the midst!" said Clo. "I may be broken past mending if somebody doesn't pick up the pieces good and quick! What I want you to do is to meet me outside the Westmorland. Will you? And if so, how soon?"
"I will," came the answer. "I'll be there in eight minutes, with a taxi. Does that suit you?"