She furrowed her brows and blocked his way by thrusting her body before him.
“We mustn’t leave here yet!� she declared positively.
“You’ve done something you shouldn’t have done. Suppose the key was written on the wrapping paper of that package. Suppose the smoked-glasses were hollow—or something like that. We wouldn’t expect the key to be right out in plain view. I wonder if there is any way to get them back?â€�
“Get them back? No! I never want to see them! I’m done—I say! They were ordinary glasses like beggars or blind men buy for a shilling. There was nothing on the wrapper or the box. The whole thing was a hoax—or an accident.â€�
“Do you think that the embassy would put such a thing in the inner box of their strongest safe?�
“They didn’t know what was in the package.�
“But, Chester, they refused to give it up—either to Germany or to England. They knew it was important. They knew that the commercial war was on. The signing of peace had nothing to do with the dye secrets. They belong to the man who is strong enough and clever enough to get them. You got the key to the whole thing—then threw it away.â€�
Fay stared back over the pathway. He hesitated, then turned toward the girl. Her eyes were dark and smoldering. She was very sure of herself. The fire within her had reddened her olive cheeks. Her lips had hardened.
“I despise you!� she said. “You’re so thoughtless! You overlook the trifles of life. What are we going to say to Sir Richard?�
“Sir Richard will never find me. You can go back! I’m going to the States. I’m done, I tell you!�