“Good evening. I've been expecting you.”
At the first word the Major spun round, alertly on the defensive.
“I have your prisoner,” he continued. “I found I had no taste for being added to her list of victims. I'll be glad if you'll take her off my hands. She's in there.” He jerked his thumb across his shoulder.
The Major eyed him fiercely. “How d'you mean, you were expecting me?”
Hindwood laughed. “I caught sight of you last night in Varensky's garden and this morning on the downs. I didn't let you know, because there were things I was anxious to investigate.”
“For instance?”
“The purpose of her game.”
“And you've satisfied yourself?”
“At the risk of my life—yes. When you warned me against being romantic, I thought you were merely jealous. Fortunately or unfortunately, whichever way you like to put it, I know now that everything you told me was correct.”
“Humph!”