"I never knew you to tell a lie—it's not in your line."
"Quite so. Therefore, will you tell me the truth?"
"The truth, then, is that Belle didn't instigate the plot. I got her out of a scrape some years ago, and she was grateful, and lent me a hand with this, purely out of friendship. She doesn't expect to get a penny in reward. It was her idea, however, of using Kingsland to forward the stuff."
"Kingsland knew nothing about it?"
"Nothing at all. He thought the chests contained stereopticon slides."
"That's the real truth then?"
"Yes, but if you blow it to Stanley, I'll tell him your share in this little arrangement."
Kent-Lauriston looked at him, coldly. "You said you were in a hurry, Colonel Darcy," he remarked. "Don't let me detain you."
"I consider it providential," said the Marchioness.