The boy's mouth opened in surprise and then, instantly, he got furiously red. “What do you mean?” he asked angrily. “What are my private affairs to do with you?”
“Come, come,” said Larose quietly, “my meaning must be perfectly clear. Has Herr Mitter's parlormaid been pumping you about anything?”
Fortescue appeared to contain himself with an effort. “No,” he replied curtly, “she has not.”
Larose spoke gently and most apologetically. “Really, Mr. Fortescue, I'm very sorry, indeed, to have to bring the girl up at all, but when you think for a moment, you must see I'm only doing what is perfectly right. We're watching Herr Mitter as a dangerous man and Miss Advent, as his secretary, must be in his confidence to some extent. So what is more natural than that we should suspect she's working w
