I thanked him and raged inwardly that I should have been outwitted.
Big Sam smiled blandly. "It is nothing in the way of treason, whichever paper you may choose."
"Quite innocent," I said, looking in his half veiled eyes. I read that he was under no delusion that he had deceived me. I rose to go.
"One moment, Mr. Hampden," he said. "You have asked a trifling favor of me. May I ask a much greater one of you?"
"Certainly."
"This girl--I am perplexed to know what to do with her."
"Is there a more proper custodian than her father?"
"Father?"
"The old man--you know."
Big Sam laughed--a most unpleasant laugh, too.