"One letter," corrected Edgar.
"Exactly. And they say women have the monopoly of that form of inflation!"
"I'm not going into details," calmly warned Edgar. "My generalisations were quite—quite general. The fact that I had a letter is an accident. It doesn't affect the generalisation."
Gaythorpe was a cunning man. He was sixty, and he knew something of the world. He said, in a tone which was altogether respectful:
"As you know, I'm not ... not exactly given to sentimental questioning; but was your letter from a woman?"
"From a man," explained Edgar, with a touch of malice. "About his own financial affairs. It had no relation whatever to a woman."
"Hm," grunted Gaythorpe. "I think you said he was the unattractive person?"
"The attractive person was hypothetical," said Edgar.
"Oh, yes," agreed Gaythorpe. "Quite so. Quite so. Well, after all, you've been away over a month; and much may happen in that time. I didn't, of course, suppose that you had any specially young and attractive beneficiary in mind. It would not have occurred to me." He was silent for an instant after this somewhat dry protest. "Nevertheless, I ... I must own to considerable interest in your correspondent, since he ... ah ... affects you——"
"No." Edgar smilingly shook his head. "You're a very inquisitive old man; and you have a great gift for wheedling information. But you won't get any more. Come and smoke now."