“I, madame.” It was the spy who spoke.
She dismissed the caretaker with a gesture.
“Have you any discretion over me? Or must you refer matters to those who sent you?”
“I must refer to them.”
“How long will it take to send a message and receive a reply?”
He considered. “Until to-morrow night, madame.”
Another day gone, then, and nothing determined!
“Now, listen,” she said, “and listen carefully. I have come here to decide a certain question. Whether you know what that question is or not, does not matter. But before I decide it I must take a certain journey. I wish to make that journey. It is into Karnia.”
She watched him. “It is impossible. My instructions—”
“I am not asking your permission. I wish to send a letter to the Committee. They, and they alone, will determine this thing. Will you send the letter?”