this matter have such--"

"I used regain advisedly," she broke in.

"Because of your possession of the lady, or because of your independent
possession of the letter?"

"You're pleased to be technical," she shrugged.

"Not at all!" he replied. "I'm simply after the facts: whether the
letter belongs to you, or to the mysterious lady of the cab?"

"Who isn't in the least mysterious to you."

"No!"

"Really, you're delicious, Mr. Harleston; though I confess that _you_
have _me_ mystified as to your game in pretending what you and I know is
pretence."

"You're pleased to be enigmatic!" Harleston laughed.

"Oh, no I'm not," she smiled, flashing her rings and watching the
flashes--and him. "You saw me, and you know that I saw you; and I saw
you and know that you saw me. Now, as I've said it in words of one
syllable, I trust you will understand."

"I understand," said he; "but you have side-stepped the point:--To whom
does this lost letter belong: to you or to--"