“But the police have already searched Mr. Orden’s rooms,” she reminded him.
“The police have been known to overlook things. Of course, what I am hoping is that amongst Mr. Orden’s papers there may be some indication as to where he has deposited our property.”
“But this has nothing to do with me,” she protested. “I do not like to be concerned in such affairs.”
“But I particularly wish you to accompany me,” he urged. “You are the only one who has seen the packet. It would be better, therefore, if we conducted the search in company.”
Catherine made a little grimace, but she objected no further. She objected very strongly, however, when Fenn tried to take her arm on leaving the place, and she withdrew into her own corner of the taxi immediately they had taken their seats.
“You must forgive my prejudices, Mr. Fenn,” she said—“my foreign bringing up, perhaps—but I hate being touched.”
“Oh, come!” he remonstrated. “No need to be so stand-offish.”
He tried to hold her hand, an attempt which she skilfully frustrated.
“Really,” she insisted earnestly, “this sort of thing does not amuse me. I avoid it even amongst my own friends.”
“Am I not a friend?” he demanded.