"I haven't the remotest idea. You know as well as I that if you were to
tell me truthfully why you are here, and what you aim to accomplish, I
couldn't accept your story; I should have to substantiate it by other
means."

"You mean that I can't show you?" she said sorrowfully.

He nodded. "No more than I could show you were our positions reversed."

What her purpose, in all this talk, he failed to see--unless she were
seeking to establish an _entente cordiale_, or to gain time. The latter
was the likelier--yet time for what? They both were aware that all this
discussion was twaddle--like much that is done in diplomacy; that they
were merely skirmishing to determine something as to each other's
position.

"I had hoped that for once you would forget business and trust me," she
said softly; "in memory of old times when we worked together, as well as
when we were against each other. We played the game then for all that
was in it, and neither of us asked nor gave quarter. But this isn't
business Guy,--" she had gradually bent closer until her hair brushed
his cheek--"that is, it isn't business that concerns your government.
You may believe this implicitly, old enemy, absolutely implicitly."

"With whom, then, has it to do?" he inquired placidly.

She sighed just a trifle--and moved closer.

"You will never tell, nor use the information?" she breathed.