"Will you do me a favor?"
"Willingly."
"Then do not mention this to a soul," said Picton earnestly.
CHAPTER IV
THE WOMAN AT THE TABLE
SHE promised readily, not asking questions, for which he was grateful. She knew there was something she could not penetrate, some mystery; her curiosity was aroused but she restrained it.
"Thank you," he said. "I have good reasons for asking you to remain silent; some day I will tell you them, whether my conjectures prove right or wrong."
"I shall not ask your confidence," she said.
"I will give it to you. I would give it to you now if I thought it would be of any use."