"I say," he suggested eagerly, "I've got my trap in. Let me drive you!"
"It's awfully good of you to think of it----"
"That's settled then. I'll be on the look out when you leave old Simon's den."
He raised his cap and went downstairs this time without any hesitation. He had forgotten to light his cigar, and it was probably as a substitute for smoking that he found himself whistling.
Miss Cicely Farmond's air as she entered Simon Rattar's room seemed compounded of a little shyness, considerable trepidation, and yet more determination. In her low voice and with a fleeting smile she wished him good morning, like an acquaintance with whom she was quite familiar, and then with a serious little frown, and fixing her engaging eyes very straight upon him, she made the surprising demand:
"Mr. Rattar, I want you to tell me honestly who I am."
For an instant Simon's cold eyes opened very wide, and then he was gazing at her after his usual silent and steadfast manner.
"Who you are?" he repeated after a few seconds' pause.
"Yes. Indeed, Mr. Rattar, I _insist_ on knowing!"
"And what makes you think I can assist you to--er--recover your identity, Miss Farmond?"
"To discover it, not recover it," she corrected.
"Don't you really know that I am honestly quite ignorant?"
"It is not for me to hazard an opinion," he answered.
"Oh please, Mr. Rattar," she exclaimed, "don't be so dreadfully cautious! Surely you can't have thought that I knew all the time!"
Again he was silent for a moment, and then enquired:
"Because I _must_ know! Because--well, because it is so unsatisfactory not knowing--for various reasons."
"And why are you so positive that I can tell you?"
"Because all my affairs and arrangements went through your hands, and of course you know!"
"May I ask, Miss Farmond," he enquired, "why, in that case, you think I shouldn't have told you before, and why--also in that case--I should tell you now?"
This enquiry seemed to disconcert Miss Farmond a little.
"Oh, of course I presume Sir Reginald and you had some reasons," she admitted.
"And don't you think then we have them still?"
"I can't honestly see why you should make such a mystery of it--especially as I can guess the truth perfectly easily!"
"Oh please don't answer me like that! Why won't you tell me?"