"I have immense self-control," he told her, "but if you'd like me to abandon it—"
"For heaven's sake, no!" she interrupted. "Tell me more about Mr.
Fischer."
"You won't forget to answer my little question later on, will you?" he begged. "To proceed, then. I spent some little time this afternoon with your chief of the police here, and I fancy that the person you speak of is becoming a little too blatant even for a broad-minded country like this. He belongs to an informal company of wealthy sympathisers with Germany, who propose to start a campaign of destruction at all the factories manufacturing munitions for the Allies. They have put aside—I believe it is several million dollars, for purposes of bribery. They don't seem to realise, as my friend pointed out to me this afternoon, that the days for this sort of thing in New York have passed. Some of them will be in prison before they know where they are."
"Exactly why did you come to America?" she asked, a little abruptly.
"To meet Nikasti and to look after Fischer."
"Well, you seem to have done that pretty effectually!"
"Also," he went on calmly, "to keep an eye upon you."
"Professionally?"
"You ask me to give away too many secrets," he whispered, leaning towards her.
She made a little grimace.