A staggering question: Gordon was taken aback.
“I don’t see how this affects Diana. What the dickens has she got to do with it?”
“She’s an inmate of your house,” said Bobbie, in a serious mood. “Any reflection upon your good name is a reflection upon hers.”
“She can leave—I wish to heaven she would leave!” retorted Gordon viciously. “You don’t imagine that I intend allowing the possibility of Diana knowing to stand in my way? She is an interloper—in a way I despise her. She’s hateful to me sometimes. Are you going to help me or aren’t you?”
He flung the ultimatum across the table. Bobbie elected for peace.
“I don’t suppose I shall have to wire to you much,” he said. “Nothing is likely to turn up in your absence. What are you going to tell Diana?”
Mr. Selsbury closed his eyes wearily.
“Does it matter what I tell Diana?”
A brave question. In his heart he knew that a story must be invented, and a very plausible story.
“I’m not a particularly nimble liar,” he said. “Think out something for me.”