Leah thought of the price to be paid for the imprisonment Strange was now undergoing, and smiled dryly. "He is the kind of man who would ask for the sun--and get it," she added, as an afterthought.
"Whether he gets it is for you to determine, Duchess."
"Oh!" She looked at him sharply. "Am I to arbitrate?"
"Quite so--quite so. A very well-chosen word--arbitrate." He chuckled heartily, and adjusted his pince-nez.
"And the joke, Mr. Hall?"
"It might almost be one, Duchess, so preposterous is the demand of this man. He refuses to reveal the whereabouts of his Grace, unless--prepare yourself for a surprise--unless he is set free. Now then, Duchess"--Mr. Hall threw himself back in his chair, and flung open his frock-coat--"is that not pre--pos--ter--ous?"
"I can't see it myself," replied Leah, coolly. "He seems to be a very sensible man."
"But--but--he ought to be punished."
"I fear he would not agree with you there. Is this what you have come to see me about?"
"Yes. All attempts to find the Duke have been made in vain: the resources of civilisation are exhausted. Only one thing remains--to accede to the prisoner's terms. I saw the Reverend Lionel Kaimes, and he agrees not to prosecute. Now I come to you----"