"You will forgive me if I am a little dense, won't you?" he begged.
"To tell you the truth," he went on, smiling, "I've got a sort of
feeling that I'd like to do anything you ask me. Now won't you
just explain a little more clearly what you mean, and I'll blow
up the old place sky high, if it's any pleasure to you."

She seemed suddenly to have reverted to her former self--the cold
and colourless young woman who had first taken the seat opposite
to his.

"Mine was a very foolish request," she admitted quietly. "I am
sorry that I ever made it. It was just an impulse, because the
little building we were speaking of has been connected with one or
two very disagreeable episodes. Nevertheless, it was foolish of
me. How long did you think of staying there--that is," she added,
with a faint smile, "providing that you find it possible to prove
your claim and take up possession?"

"Oh, just for a week or so," he answered lightly, "and as to
regaining possession of it," he went on, a slightly pugnacious
instinct stirring him, "I don't imagine that there'll be any
difficulty about that."

"Really!" she murmured.

"Not that I want to make myself disagreeable," he continued, "but
the Tower is mine, right enough, even if I have let it remain
unoccupied for some time."