He turned his ice-blue eyes upon her.
"I am not good at paying compliments, Miss Mortimer," he said cynically. "Twelve years in prison have rusted all my little accomplishments."
She met his look with a smile, though her lips were quivering still.
"My! What a pity!" she said. "Has your heart got rusty, too?"
"Very," said West shortly.
"Can't you rub it off?" she questioned.
He uttered his ironic laugh.
"There wouldn't be anything left if I did."
"No?" she said whimsically. "Well, give it to me, and let me see what I can do!"
His eyes fell away from her, and the grim line of his jaw hardened perceptibly.