"I am perhaps asking too much of a stranger, Mr. Courage," he said. "The matter is of the deepest importance to me, or I would not have troubled you. Supposing Miss Van Hoyt should herself fix the date of your visit, and engage to be there?"
"That," I answered, "would, of course, be sufficient for me."
Mr. de Valentin rose from his seat.
"We will leave it like that then," he said. "I must apologize, Mr. Courage, for having troubled you with my private affairs, and wish you good-night!"
We separated a few moments later, and I went down to my state-room. I found Guest busy writing in a pocket-book, seated on the edge of his bunk. I told him of my conversation with Mr. de Valentin.
"I knew it was risky," he remarked when I had finished, "but it was an opportunity which I dared not miss."
"You might have told me about it," I protested. "I was altogether unprepared."
"The less you know," he answered, "the better. If you like, I will show you tracings of some letters which I discovered in Mr. de Valentin's portfolio. They were quite worth the journey to America, apart from anything else. Personally, I should advise you not to see them until our return to England."
"Very well," I answered. "Don't show them to me. But I shouldn't try it again. Mr. de Valentin is on his guard."
Guest smiled a little wearily.