showed no signs of embarrassment--he seized the opportunity of asking for
information.

"Did my gentleman trust you, sir, with all that writing?" he began.

"Yes."

"Did he want you to read it?"

"He did."

"What's it all about, sir?"

Confronted by this cool inquiry, I informed Mr. Toller that the demands
of curiosity had their limits, and that he had reached them. On this
ground, I declined to answer any more questions. Mr. Toller went on with
his questions immediately.

"Do you notice, sir, that he seems to set a deal of store by his
writings? Perhaps you can say what the value of them may be?"

I shook my head. "It won't do, Mr. Toller!"

He tried again--I declare it positively, he tried again. "You'll excuse
me, sir? I've never seen his portfolio before. Am I right if I think you
know where he keeps it?"

"Spare your breath, Mr. Toller. Once more, it won't do!"

Cristel joined us, amazed at his pertinacity. "Why are you so anxious,