"Denham!" she said contemptuously. "I wouldn't marry him if he asked me. Why do you want me to write such a letter?"
"For your own sake," responded the big man, coolly. "Miss Starth believes that you are concerned in the death of her brother. Such a letter will convince her that you were well disposed towards him."
"Bah! She won't believe it."
"She may, or she may not. However, I want it written."
Mrs. Anchor sat down, and leaning her cheek on her hand stared musingly at the floor. After a few minutes she looked up. "You're on some game or another," she said calmly, "and for some reason you wish me to join in. Well, I don't mind. The letter shall be sent."
"Oh and don't you want to know what the game is?"
"Not at all. Whatever you are doing can't concern me. This letter will do no harm, and as I wish the message taken to Frank I am willing to buy it on those terms."
Jarman looked at her distrustfully. He wondered why she yielded so suddenly, and knowing her tricky ways, he felt sure that she had some card to play. However, for reasons of his own, he wanted the letter, and, so long as he got it, was not particular how it came into his possession. It was useless to act honourably towards a pair of sharpers like Fan and her so-called uncle. Having thus arranged matters, the little woman held out her hand.
"I have a carriage waiting to take me to Mardon," she said. "We understand one another, I hope?"
"I think we do. But I am in the dark regarding your schemes."