"Yes," admitted Olga reluctantly.
"I don't know quite how you managed it," he commented. "However, we are none of us infallible. Now tell me—without reservation—exactly what passed this morning between you two girls and Hunt-Goring."
With quivering lips she began to tell him. There were certain items of that conversation with Hunt-Goring, of which, though they were branded deep upon her mind, she could not bring herself to speak. It was a difficult recital in any case, and the grim silence with which he listened did not make it any easier.
"Have you told me everything?" he asked at last.
She answered steadily. "Everything that concerns Violet!"
He looked at her very closely for a few moments, and she saw his mouth take a cynical, downward curve.
"Hunt-Goring has my sympathy," he observed enigmatically. "Well, I think you are right. I had better keep out of the way for the present. I shall know better what course to take in the morning. Her state of mind just now is quite abnormal, but she may very well have settled down a little by that time. She will probably go through a stage of lethargy and depression after this. Her brother should be back again in a week's time. We may manage to ward off another outbreak till then. But, mind, you are not to be left alone with her during any part of that week. There must always be someone within call."
"I shall be within call," said Nick.
Max glanced at him. "Yes, you will be quite useful no doubt. But I must have a nurse as well."
"A nurse!" exclaimed Olga.