"Going out, Mother?" he enquired, flicking the ash from his cigarette.
"If Mr. Smart will be good enough to withdraw his opposition," she said icily.
He gave me a sharp look. "What's up?"
"Mrs. Titus doesn't seem to realise the risk she runs in—"
"Risk? Do you suppose, Mr. Smart, I would jeopardise my daughter's—"
"What's up?" repeated Colingraft insistently.
"Mr. Smart calmly informs me that I am not to go into the city."
"I don't see that Mr. Smart has anything to say about it," said her son coolly. "If he—" He paused, glaring.
I looked him squarely in the eye. If he had possessed the acumen of a pollywog he would have seen that my Dutch was up.
"One moment, Mr. Titus," I said, setting my jaw. "I have this to say about it. You are guests in my house. We are jointly interested in the effort to protect the Countess Tarnowsy. I consider it to be the height of imprudence for any member of your family to venture into the city, now or at any time during her stay in this castle. I happen to know that Tarnowsy is having me watched for some purpose or other. I don't think he suspects that the Countess is here, but I greatly fear that he believes I am interested in her cause. He suspects me. You have heard of our recent encounter. He knows my position pretty well by this time. Mrs. Titus says that the man Dillingham assures her there is no danger. Well, I can only say that Dillingham is a fool, and I don't purpose having my own safety threatened by—"