“I can’t tell you that,” she said slowly.
“Then how can I believe you?” he asked her.
“But it’s the truth,” she insisted. “For what other reason should I be here?”
“Women have collected jewels before now for themselves as well as their governments,” he reminded her.
She flushed. “Do you wish to insult me?”
“I don’t think you quite realize your position,” he said. “I find you here trying to steal something of mine. If you tell me the name of the man, or men, under whose orders you are acting, I may be able to believe.”
“I can’t tell you,” she cried; “I can’t tell you.”
“It’s most likely to be Bangs,” he said meditatively, and then turned to her quickly. “It was John H. Bangs of the secret service who sent you.”
At all costs she knew she must keep the name of Daniel Taylor from him. To admit that it was a fellow official would do no harm.
“Yes,” she said; “it was.”