“Not lately,� Fay blurted as he seated himself. “Pass the tea, please.�
She poured the cup full and poised the Japanese pot. “You’re going to square it now?� she asked.
“I may!�
“I want you to promise. I want you to go to Holland and open that strong-box. I don’t want you to fail me. Remember it’s me! Sir Richard and the rest don’t count. You’re doing it for me, because I recommended—â€�
“Ah,� said Fay, “then it was you?�
Saidee Isaacs bit her lower lip. “I had a hand in it,â€� she said. “But you mustn’t think I went to Holland or anything like that. The party who went there—failed. I don’t fail as a rule!â€�
Fay glanced keenly at her. She returned the stare bravely. Her breast lifted and fell as she breathed with emotion. “I did what I could for the Yard,� she added quickly. “I have the diagram of the embassy. I have the little silver greyhound, which is to be your passport.�
“Is it effective?�
“Tremendously so! Why, everybody just makes way for you when you wear it. It’s a magic talisman these days, Chester.�
Fay reached for the cake and poised a slice over his tea cup. He studied the pattern on the little silver spoon. It was monogrammed “S. I.� The cup was also marked with her initials.