"Nothing of the kind. However, I don't want to discuss the matter with you. I am going immediately to tell you what I do propose to do. But, before I get to that, there is one question which I should like to put to you, in order that we may know exactly where we are. You saw the man who made use of that champagne bottle? You had a distinct view of him?" "I saw him as distinctly as I see you." "You would know him again?" "Anywhere; always." "Did you ever see him before?" "Never." "Of that you are certain?" "Quite." "Did he remind you of anyone you had seen before? Think!" "I am thinking; but--I can think of no one. Why are you asking me these questions? Do you--do you know him? And--are you thinking of giving him up to the police? If you are--if you are, nothing will make me say that I ever saw him before--nothing!--nothing! He sha'n't come to harm because of me!" "My dear child----" "I'm not a child--and anyhow I'm not yours!--nor am I dear! Are you--are you daring to think of playing the traitor?--of taking advantage of what I've told you to--to get him punished? Are you?" "I am doing nothing of the kind--how you do jump to conclusions! I don't know the man from Adam. Why do you credit me with such sinister intentions?" "Why did you ask me those questions--like that?" "I've half a mind to tell you; then perhaps we shall begin to understand each other." "Perhaps it is just as well that we shouldn't understand each other; but you will please to tell me." "Miss Gilbert, you're a young lady with a temper." "If you wish to speak to me like that----" She half rose from the ground; he checked her. "I don't--pray stay where you are! What times you and Frances Vernon must have had together!" "What do you mean by that?" "Nothing--I suppose you must have had a good time with her in the convent, if she was such a friend of yours." "Are you going to tell me why you asked those questions?" "I am; then I think you will be sorry you have taken up such a tone towards me. I asked those questions because the person whom you saw strike George Emmett informed the waiter that his name was Gilbert." "Gilbert!--Mr Frazer! But--I heard the waiter tell Mr Emmett that the gentleman wouldn't give his name." "What seems to have occurred is this. Someone came to one of the coffee-room waiters and told him that he wished to see Mr George Emmett. The waiter asked him his name; he said 'Gilbert'; then immediately added: 'Never mind my name; you need mention no name; give him this.' He scribbled a line or two on a sheet of paper, in pencil; put the sheet into an envelope, which he fastened, and gave to the waiter. So it came about that the waiter who delivered the note supposed the stranger to have given no name; while the original waiter is prepared to swear that, in the first instance, he said his name was Gilbert--which is why I asked if you had seen him, or anyone at all like him, before."