"When I told you my Christian name yesterday you said it wouldn't do at all, and I was never to mention it again. In the absence of definite instructions about my surname I thought I had better pursue a cautious policy of waiting. I've told the chauffeur that he will know my name in due course and that until I tell him what it is he mustn't know it. I was not sure whether you would wish the members of your household to know that I'm the person who had a collision with your car. Mrs. Prohack and I were both in a state of collapse after the accident, and I was removed before she could see me. Therefore she did not recognise me this morning. But on the other hand she has no doubt heard my name often enough since the accident and would recognise _that_." Mr. Prohack lit the first cigarette of the day. "Why did you bring that typewriter?" he asked gravely. "It's mine. I thought that if you didn't happen to have one here it might be useful. It was the typewriter that the car had to go back for. I'd forgotten it. I can take it away again. But if you like you can either buy it or hire it from me." The girl could not have guessed it from his countenance, but Mr. Prohack was thunderstruck. She was bringing forward considerations which positively had not presented themselves to him. That she had much initiative was clear from her conduct of the previous day. She now disclosed a startling capacity for intrigue. Mr. Prohack, however, was not intimidated. The experience of an official life had taught him the value of taciturnity, and moreover a comfortable feeling of satisfaction stole over him as he realised that once again he had a secretary under his thumb. He seemed to be delightfully resuming the habits which ill-health had so ruthlessly broken. "Mary Warburton," said he at length. "Certainly," said she. "I'll tell your chauffeur." "The initials will correspond--in case--" "Yes," said she. "I'd noticed that." "We will see what your typewriting machine is capable of, and then I'll decide about it." "Certainly." "Please take down some letters." "Mr. Carrel Quire always told me what he wanted said, and I wrote the letters myself." "That is very interesting," said Mr. Prohack. "Perhaps you can manage to sit at the dressing-table. Mind that necklace there. It's supposed to be rather valuable. Put it in the case, and put the case in the middle drawer." "Don't you keep it in a safe?" said Miss Warburton, obeying. "All questions about necklaces should be addressed direct to Mrs. Prohack." "I prefer to take down on my knee," said Miss Warburton, opening her notebook, "if I am to take down."