"I know," said he, "that I am exceedingly annoying in happening here—especially at such a time as this. But, you see, we all have our tasks in life, and mine is to convince people that things are seldom what they seem."
There was no reply; and the secret agent fixing his gaze upon the girl, continued:
"That you think I am clever is a compliment for which I thank you. It is hard," with a smile, "to be indebted to a person and be able to make only a—so to speak—left handed return."
The girl was the first of the three to recover. She stared at the speaker unflinchingly.
"And that is——?" she asked.
"Only that in saying that you have won you made a slight mistake."
"Don't be too sure that it is one," she said. Then with a fierce, bitter ring in her tone, she added: "There would have been no mistake had I had my way a few nights ago."
The secret agent laughed.
"Ah, no," said he. "I can well believe that. You urged our friend here," nodding toward Drevenoff, "rather strongly, to be sure."