"At your question I am amazed, sir."
"Oh, I really had a good reason for asking."
"In my country no reason suffices for such a question."
"Hum. Well, you see, neither my wife nor I belong to your country, and you are not in your country now. However, there is no need for you to get excited, Captain. I am sorry if I seem to have intruded on your confidence with a lady; but, to tell you the truth, as my wife has admitted that she is in love with you, I was not unnaturally somewhat curious to discover whether you reciprocated her affection."
Von Klausen's eyes protruded. This husband was, obviously, mad. He might have been driven mad by his discovery. The discovery seemed a thing accomplished. With a great in-taking of breath, the Austrian made answer:
"You have loved your wife. Why should I be ashamed to say that I love her?"
If von Klausen expected an explosion, he was disappointed.
"Well," said Stainton, calmly, "that is one way of looking at it."
"Please?"
"Never mind. You say you love her?"