She said hardly: "That's all right. Only it's a nuisance."
"Nuisance! I should say it is. Why, we're no better off than we were before! If the thing really does exist. And if this chap was shot it looks pretty certain that it does."
She threw him an impatient look. "It exists all right. I know where it is too. He told me."
"He told you?" Her brother leaned forward. "Where then?" he said eagerly.
She got up. "Do you think I'd tell you?" she said contemptuously. "And have you blurt it out the next time you're drunk?"
He flushed. "Damn it, it's my affair, isn't it?"
She said fiercely: "Yes, it's your affair, and you leave me to do the work. All right, I'll do it, but you'll keep out of it! See?"
He wilted, but said obstinately: "You're a girl. You can't do it. Gosh, I don't like the sound of this murder."
"I don't suppose you do," she said. "You'd better keep your mouth shut about it." Her face softened. "Oh, Mark, for God's sake, leave the drink alone for a bit!" she said. "We're going to need all our nerve for this job, and what use are you, fuddled six hours out of the twelve?"
"All right," he muttered, looking away from her. "Honestly, it wasn't my fault today. I didn't mean even to go into the pub, but…'