"You know why Mr. Silva is leaving England in such a hurry?"
He nodded. She wished she knew too, or had the slightest inkling of the yarn which Pinto had spun. And then the man enlightened her.
"Political," he said.
"Exactly; political," she said easily. "But you will realise that it is not necessarily he himself who is making this flight."
"I did understand that he was making the flight himself," said the aviator in surprise.
"But"—she was desperate now—"has he never told you of the other gentleman who was coming, the other political person who really must go to Portugal at once?"
"No, he certainly did not," said Cartwright; "he told me distinctly that he was going himself."
The girl leaned back in her chair, baffled, but thoughtful.
"Oh, of course, he told you that," she said with a knowing smile. "You see, there are some things he is not allowed to tell you. But do not be surprised if you have two passengers instead of one."