‘Except that—to catch him,’ suggested Maria. ‘I really think that another letter——’
‘Absurd!’ Montalto was seriously annoyed with her by this time. ‘Something has happened to make you change your mind. Am I right or not?’
Maria turned a little pale and bit her lip. But she would not tell an untruth.
‘Yes, something has happened,’ she answered.
‘What?’ The single word was pronounced with a good deal of sharpness.
Maria turned to him.
‘I would rather not tell you,’ she said gently. ‘It is quite useless for you to go to the police, for the letters will not be published.’
She spoke in a tone of perfect certainty that surprised him.
‘You seem very sure,’ he said.
‘I am quite sure.’