"But I can't see why I should remain," she protested, facing him again. He noted how strikingly handsome she was, her dimpled cheeks delicately moulded and her pretty chin slightly protruding, which gave a delightful piquancy to her features.
"I wish I could explain further. I can't at present!"
"You are, as I have already said, so amazingly mysterious—so full of secrets always!"
The man sighed, his brows knit slightly.
"Yes," he said, "I am full of secrets—strange, astounding secrets they are—secrets which some time, if divulged, would mean terrible complications, ruin to those who are believed to be honest and upright."
The girl stood for a few seconds in silence.
She had heard strange rumours regarding the man seated there before her. Some had hinted that he, on more than one occasion, acting in an unofficial capacity, had arranged important treaties between Great Britain and a foreign Power, leaving to ambassadors the arrangements of detail and the final ratification. There were whispers abroad that he was a trusted and tried agent of the British Government, but in exactly what capacity was unknown. His name frequently appeared among the invited guests of Cabinet Ministers, and he received cards for many official functions, but the actual manner in which he rendered assistance to the Government was always kept a most profound secret.
More than once Sir Hugh had mentioned the matter over the dining-table, expressing wonder as to Fetherston's real position.
"You know him well, Enid," he had exclaimed once, laughing over to her. "What is your opinion?"
"I really haven't any," she declared. "His movements are certainly rapid, and often most mysterious."