"It's a disappointing world, isn't it?" she said. "I did honestly believe that there was something kind and unselfish about his original intentions." She paused. "And you say you saw him in the street? Why, he must have left here over an hour ago."
"I saw him all right," repeated Colin.
He went on to describe his meeting with Joe and the interesting events which had ensued on their arrival at Shadwell station.
"I may be prejudiced," he concluded, "but I'm beginning to think that he's an even bigger scoundrel than the police give him credit for. Anyhow, it's perfectly plain that he's been lying to you from start to finish."
"But why should he?" objected Nancy.
It was Colin's turn to hesitate. "Well, after all, you're rather pretty, you know," he said lamely.
Nancy laughed again. "I've no doubt you're right," she said, "but I don't see that it solves the difficulty. He couldn't have known what I was like when he came and hunted me out."
"No, that's true," admitted Colin. He got off his seat and paced slowly up and down the room. "There's something behind all this, Nancy," he added; "some infernal mystery that we don't understand."
"There is," agreed Nancy; "but I mean to understand it, and very soon, too."
Colin stopped. "You're not thinking of keeping that appointment?"