“Are you in a hurry,” she asked carelessly. “A lot of these people will be going presently.”
“My message is urgent,” he said firmly. “If you cannot listen to me now it must remain undelivered.”
She shrugged her shoulders and led him towards a small recess. “So you come from Anna, do you?” she remarked. “Well, what is it?”
“Montague Hill is recovering consciousness,” he said. “He will probably make a statement to-night.”
“That sounds very interesting,” she answered coolly. “Perhaps I should better be able to understand its significance if you would explain to me who Mr. Montague Hill is.”
“Your husband,” he answered bluntly.
She did not wince. She laughed a little contemptuously.
“You and Anna,” she said, “seem to have stumbled upon a mare’s nest. If that is my sister’s message, pray return to her and say that the doings and sayings of Mr. Montague Hill do not interest me in the least.”
“Don’t be foolish,” he said sharply. “You were seen to leave the flat, and your handkerchief was found there. Very likely by this time the whole truth is known.”
She smiled at him, an understanding smile, but her words defied him.