“But can’t you see that it’s ridiculous to ask me to cast her aside without giving me any plain and ample reason?”
“The reason is certainly sufficient,” he replied.
“What is it?”
“You visited her at Ryburgh some months ago, and suspected her of having a secret lover. Is not that so?”
“Extraordinary!” I gasped. “How did you know that? You set your spies upon me!” I added angrily.
“No, not upon you,” he said. “She was already under observation.”
“Why?”
“Because of some suspicion that had been aroused regarding the Ceuta incident.”
“Nonsense!” I cried, unable to believe his allegation. “What possible connection could she have with that?”
“A rather intimate one, judging from the result of our inquiries.”