The Baron shook his head solemnly. “No, Bonker, I cannot.”

For some moments he pondered over the remarkable conduct of these ladies; and then—

“Did you also hear of ze Wallingfords?” he asked.

“I had a short note from them.”

“From him, or——”

“Her.”

“So! Humph, zey all seem fond of writing letters.”

“Why—have you had any too?”

“No; and I do not vant zem.”

Yet his immunity did not appear to exhilarate the diplomatist.