“Then perhaps you will do me a favor on your way home tonight?”

“You have but to ask.”

“I wish to send a message to a young American man who is staying at the Hotel du Lac—you may have seen him?”

Tony nodded.

“I have climb Monte Maggiore wif him. You recommend me; I sank you ver’ moch. Nice man, zat yong American; ver’ good, ver’ simpatico.” He leaned forward with a sudden air of anxiety. “Signorina, you—you like zat yong man?”

“I have only met him twice, but—yes, I like him.”

“You like him better zan me?” His anxiety deepened; he hung upon her words.

She shook her head reassuringly.

“I like you both exactly the same.”

“Signorina, which you like better, zat yong American or ze Signor Lieutenant?”