"I have only just returned," De Froilette answered, throwing out his arms to draw attention to his clothes, "and before going to the Altstrasse came to prepare you. I have been waiting at the cafe opposite until Lord Cloverton came out."
"And wondering why he visited me?" asked Ellerey, smiling.
"Wondering, rather, how far you would be successful in deceiving him."
"He was disposed to be friendly," said Ellerey, carelessly taking up
Sir Charles Martin's letter from the table and putting it in his pocket.
"Friendly! A trick of his, monsieur, a trick."
"Exactly. We have agreed to be enemies."
"Ah, but that was foolish," said De Froilette quickly. "You should have played with him even as I do. He believes that I am very friendly, while I hate him."
"That is your method; it is not mine. I am not an adept at crawling, even to the British Ambassador."
"What does he suspect?" asked De Froilette after a pause, during which he had seemed inclined to resent Ellerey's words.
"Naturally, he did not say, and I am unable to guess, which is hardly remarkable, seeing that I am entirely in the dark myself."
"But why did he come?"