“Since the masquerade?”
“During that interview,” continued Alan, “Mrs. Warburton gave me the brief outline of what seemed to me a very improbable story.”
“Ah!” There was a new shade in the lawyer’s voice.
“And I am wondering,” Alan goes on, “if your letter contains that same story.”
“Possibly,” said Mr. Follingsbee dryly.
“This note which you have given me, and which bears no signature, seems to indicate as much. Are you acquainted with its contents, sir?”
“I am not.” There is a growing crispness in the lawyer’s tone, which Alan is not slow to note.
“Then oblige me by reading it.”
Mr. Follingsbee took the note and read it slowly.
“Don’t you think,” he said, looking up from its perusal, “that we had better begin by understanding each other?”