"It's not." A note of deep feeling came into her voice. "It's the business of every one who cares for Ann to protect her from her own rash unselfishness. Just to please yourself, you asked her to come here, without a thought as to how it would affect her reputation--how people might talk. And you used those bills of Tony's as a lever." "Really, your perspicacity does you credit," he returned ironically. "I saw no other way of getting her here, so, as you truthfully remark, I used those bits of paper as a lever." "Well"--quickly. "I've come for those bits of paper, as you call them." Brett shook his head regretfully. "I never made any bargain to give them to--you, even though you have condescended to honour the _Sphinx_ with your presence to-night," he said. Cara approached the table. "No. I didn't expect them in return for that," she replied. "I'm proposing to give you the usual return for notes of hand--payment of the amount owing." To make this proposal had been her intention when she had first suggested to Ann that she should take her place as Forrester's guest. She had not dared to offer the necessary money as an outright loan, realising that the girl would have refused it on Tony's behalf peremptorily, so she had inwardly resolved to redeem the bills Brett held without consulting her. She opened a small, ivory-mounted wrist-bag she carried, and withdrew a bundle of crisp Bank of England notes. "I think the sum owing is twelve hundred," she said composedly. "There's the money. Will you count it, please, and let me have the bills Tony has given you." Brett stood quietly looking down at the small heap of notes, but he made no effort to pick them up. "I'd forgotten you were a wealthy woman," he remarked contemplatively. Cara laughed rather bitterly. "Heaven knows I've not found my wealth of much value to me before," she said. "But I shall think more of it in the future if it can get a friend out of trouble. Come, take the money, Brett, and give me the bills," she added, with a touch of impatience. He picked up one of the notes and fingered it thoughtfully, then replaced it on the pile once more. "I'm sorry," he said mildly. "But it isn't you who owe me this money. It's Brabazon. So I can't accept repayment from you." Cara glanced at him swiftly. Her lips felt suddenly dry. "What do you mean?" she asked nervously. "Just what I say. Brabazon is my debtor--you haven't authority to act for him, by any chance, have you?" "Authority? No. But I'm willing--I'm only too glad to be able to do this for him." Brett pushed the bundle of notes across the table towards her. "I'm sorry," he repeated pensively. "It's very good of you, of course. But I couldn't possibly take your money. I happen to be the holder of the bills, and I only give them back to Brabazon for the amount owing--or to Ann on the terms I suggested. Otherwise"--a sudden flame leapt up in his eyes--"I keep them."