“Quite a random shot of mine,” I replied smilingly. “I inadvertently let out that I was going to Ilbay to see Mr. Thoyne, and it was natural you should want to warn him.”
“But what have I to do with—with Mr. Thoyne, and why should I want to warn him? Why shouldn’t you visit him if you wish?”
“But you did send him a wire, didn’t you?” I persisted.
“You are impertinent, Mr. Holt!” she cried.
“Yes, I fear I am,” I agreed. “One often has to be in such jobs as this. And it is your own fault, you know.”
“My fault!”
“Yes, you challenge me by your whole attitude. Your visit that night—”
“I have already denied any visit.”
“You adhere to that—good. But, don’t you see that that is the challenge? And now we have this quarrel between Thoyne and Sir Philip Clevedon—”
She turned on me swiftly with flaming cheeks and eyes that sparkled angrily, but I interrupted the coming outburst.