‘By the Police!’ Emilie echoed in an uncertain manner.
‘Why not, Madame, if you have nothing to hide?’ Henry Dulton asked. ‘And I assure you that the curiosity regarding you in Monte Carlo is so intense that there are quite a number of people who would be prepared to pay for the information.’
Emilie dropped her pretence.
‘How much do you want?’ she asked, and her voice was harsh.
Henry Dulton stroked his chin.
‘Now we are talking sense,’ he said. ‘I thought it would not be long before we became friendly – as we always have been, Madame. But first will you permit me to congratulate you on the admirable way in which you have taken Monte Carlo by storm? It is a masterpiece, a work of art for which any artiste would be proud to take credit.’
‘I asked you how much,’ Emilie said.
‘And I w
