“True; I haven’t,” replied Nick, rather inclined to laugh at her piquant audacity.
“How many invitations do you require?”
“Well, I can hardly say.”
“I generally have to ask a man but once,” pouted Belle, with a playful shrug of her shoulders. “I guess you don’t enjoy the game.”
“Well, to tell the truth, Miss Braddon, ping-pong is not my long suit,” laughed Nick.
The girl joined in his laugh, saying dryly:
“Dear me, you really can be amusing, can’t you?”
“Yes, when I try.”
“Try often, Detective Carter. It’s awfully becoming. By the way, sir, there’s a question I’d like to ask you.”
“Certainly,” bowed Nick; “understand, however, that I may not feel called upon to answer it.”