She laughed. "Including modesty, Mr. Guelvada?" she asked.
"But of course. It is quite impossible for a man to present such a heroic picture to the world as I do without being at the same time modest." He went on: "I feel I have known you for a considerable period. I should like to call you Thelma. My name is Ernest. Very often people call me Ernie because they like me so much."
She laughed again. "Very well, Ernie. In the meantime would you like a drink? Then are you going to talk or shall I? What do you know? Do you know anything about the work I am engaged in?"
"No...." Guelvada walked back to the french windows; closed them carefully. "I take it you have been living for some time in this place and you know that there are no microphones in the walls, or eavesdropping servants?"
She
