“R’ally?”
“Honestly and truly,” he swore, puzzled by the undertone of light malice he thought to detect in her manner.
“Then,” said she with decision, “I’m not going to get myself into trouble by babbling. But, if you promise to be nice to me all the way home—?” She paused.
“I promise,” he said gravely.
“Then—if you happen to be at the head of the companion-ladder when the tender comes off from Queenstown tonight—I promise you a huge surprise.”
“You won’t say more than that?” he pleaded.
She appeared to debate. “Yes,” she announced mischievously; “I’ll give you a leading hint. The person I mean is the purchaser of the Cadogan collar.”
His eyes were blank. “And what, please, is the Cadogan collar?”
“You don’t mean to tell me you’ve never heard of it?” She paused with dramatic effect. “Incredible! Surely, everybody knows about the Cadogan collar, the most magnificent necklace of pearls in the world!”
“Everybody, it seems, but myself, Mrs. Ilkington.”