"I'm greatly obliged, Madeline, for your shocking amazement," Harleston
chuckled. "Meanwhile, and returning to the letter; who has the better
title to possession, Mrs. Clephane or yourself?"

"As I remarked before, either of us has a better title to the letter
than yourself. Also--I have heard you say it many times, and it is an
accepted rule in the diplomatic game--never meddle in what does not
concern you; never help to pull another's chestnuts out of the fire."

"My dear lady, you are perfectly right! I subscribe unreservedly to the
rule, and try to follow it; but you have overlooked another rule--the
most vital of the code."

"What is it, pray!"

"The old rule:--Never believe your adversary. Never tell the
truth--except when the truth will deceive more effectively than a lie."

"That is entirely regular, yet not applicable to the present matter. I'm
_not_ your adversary."

"You say you're not--yet how does that avoid the rule?"

"Won't you take my word, Guy?" she murmured.

"I am at a loss whether to take it or not," he reflected; "being so,
I'm in a state of equipoise until I'm shown."

"Tell me how I can show you?" she smiled.