Did you know about it?”

Kinsey smiled. “Of course, Mr. Kirk. I have been meaning to mention the matter to you, but the opportunity wasn’t offered.”

“Day before yesterday you had a bit of a quarrel with her?”

“Oh, it was nothing, sir.” Kinsey’s dark face clouded. “It’s all fixed up now.”

“That’s good. But on that evening, contrary to your custom, you didn’t wait to take her home? You walked out on her?”

“I - I’m afraid I did. I was somewhat annoyed -“

“And you wanted to teach her a lesson. What I call the proper spirit. That’s all - and please pardon these personal questions.”

“Quite all right, sir.” Kinsey turned to go, but hesitated. “Mr. Kirk -“

“Yes, Kinsey?”

“Nothing, sir,” said Kinsey, and disappeared.

Kirk turned to Miss Morrow. “There you are. The story of Miss Lila Barr, duly authenticated.”

“Such a reasonable story, too,” sighed the girl. “But it gets us nowhere. I must say I’m disappointed. Mr. Chan - you thought I went too far - on India?”

Chan shrugged. “In this game, better if the opponent does not know what we are thinking. Assume great innocence is always my aim. Sometimes what I assume is exactly what I’ve got. Others - I am flying at a low altitude.”

“I’m afraid I should have flown at a lower altitude than I did,” the girl reflected, frowning. “Her story was perfectly plausible, and yet - I don’t know -“

“Well, one thing’s certain,” remarked Kirk. “She’s not Eve Durand.”

“How do you know that?” asked Miss Morrow.

“Why, - her age. She’s a mere kid.”

Miss Morrow laughed. “Lucky a woman is in on this,” she said. “You men are so painfully blind where a blonde is concerned.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean there are certain artifices which fool a man, but never fool a woman. Miss Barr is thirty - at the very least.”

Kirk whistled. “I must be more careful,” he said. “I thought her sweet and twenty.”

He turned to find Paradise at his elbow. The butler had entered noiselessly, and was holding out a silver tray in the manner of one offering rich treasure.

“What shall I do with these, sir?” he inquired.

“Do with what?” Kirk asked.

“Letters addressed to Sir Frederic Bruce, sir.