"That is why," said Blacklock.
II.
THE LADY.
Lieutenant von Belke looked for a moment at the lady who had enslaved him, but for some reason he averted his gaze rather quickly. Then with an elaborate affectation of sarcastic politeness which served but ill to conceal the pain at his heart and the shock to his pride, he inquired—
"May I be permitted to ask what agency supplies ladies so accomplished at a notice so brief?"
"Providence," said Blacklock promptly and simply. "Miss Holland had never undertaken any such work before, and her name is on the books of no bureau."
"I believe you entirely," said von Belke ironically. "You taught her her trade then, I presume?"
"I did."
The German stared at him.