She produced a packet of cigarettes from her bag and offered him one. Simon smiled, and shook his head.
"There are funny things about your cigarettes that don't make me laugh out loud, Kate," he said cheerfully. "Have one of mine instead."
"Look here," she said. "Let's put our cards on the table. You're after that pendant, and so am I. Everything on our side is planned out, and you've just told me this is your first visit. You can't possibly get in front of us this time. You took the Kellman necklace away under our noses, but you couldn't do it again. Why not retire gracefully?"
He gazed at her thoughtfully for a few seconds; and she touched his hand.
"Won't you do that — and save trouble?"
"You know, Kate," said the Saint, "you're a lovely gal. Would you mind very much if I kissed you?"
"I could make it worth a hundred pounds to you — for nothing — if you gave us a clear field."
Simon wrinkled his nose.
"Are there forty-nine of you?" he drawled. "It seems a very small share-out to me."
"I might be able to make it two hundred. They wouldn't agree to any more."