"We met them at Genoa." "But do you mean to say your information ended abruptly at this point? Have you learned nothing since?" "Nothing whatever. I did not trouble after my return to think any more about the matter. It was only while we were both interested in her that I was interested. You don't think," added he, in a half-jesting manner, "that I have nothing else to do but to run after every pretty girl who appears to have a romantic mystery about her, do you?" "Are you speaking seriously?" I asked, my hopes sinking as rapidly as they had risen. "Quite," was his reply. "Why did you not tell me this on my return, when we saw her at the theatre, together? You knew all about it then, and you also knew how anxious I was." "True, but you did not broach the subject, and as soon as we caught sight of her you seemed fascinated, leaving me almost at once, so that I had no chance." "But there were plenty of occasions afterwards," I contended impatiently. Bob did not seem perturbed in the least. He merely lit another cigarette, as he replied,-- "Whenever I saw you afterwards you were so distant and uncommunicative that it appeared as if you knew far more than you apparently did. As you were still interested in her and her movements it was not my place to take the initiative." "And even if you had," I rejoined, speaking rather warmly, for my disappointment was galling, "it would not have greatly mattered; you don't seem to know a great deal, after all. It does not make very much difference." "Look here, Burgoyne, it is no use attempting to hide your thoughts from me in this matter. It appears as if you wish me to think you are sorry I know so little. Perhaps you are secretly glad that such is the case, eh? It would be awkward for some of your wife's relations to find that photograph in your pocket, under these circumstances--what is your opinion? Those hot-blooded counts are very jealous relatives, I believe, and--" "By Heaven! you wrong me there, Bob," I retorted, touched to the quick by the sneer. "In spite of all Vera's treachery--in spite of our quarrels, I have never, for an instant been untrue to her--never!" "Very well," was his cool reply, "let us admit that. Can you, however, honestly explain your confusion--to say nothing of Rivers' amazement-- when it was produced?" This direct question nonplussed me entirely. To explain all the facts without exposing Vera--which I was determined not to do--at first appeared a sheer impossibility. Bob watched my vain endeavours to think it out with clearness for several minutes. Neither of us spoke. Leaning back in his chair he watched the smoke from his cigarette curl upwards. Then he rose again, and said in a tone of voice very sad for me to hear: "Well, don't trouble to reply to that last query of mine, Frank, if it causes you pain. I was a fool to make it. Good-bye," and he held forth his hand.