Your taste, sir, appeals to me, but
I am bound to say--"
"Are you a private detective?"
"Just an inquiry agent; helpful in saving people trouble sometimes."
"Do you mean to tell me that Miss Quarles--"
"No, not exactly, but, my dear Wigan--"
It was Quarles. He changed his voice, seemed to alter his figure, but of
course the make-up remained. He was a perfect genius in altering his
appearance.
"Was that the lady?" he asked. "Zena mentioned you were yachting with a
Mrs. Selborne down here. I don't think she quite liked it. She was woman
enough to read between the lines of your letter."
"Oh, nonsense!" I exclaimed.
"Quite so; still the lady is decidedly attractive, and Murray Wigan is a
man. The man who holds himself barred from admiring one woman just
because he happens to be engaged to another is not a very conspicuous
biped. I am not reproaching you, I should probably do the same myself,
but Zena will take you to task no doubt, and you will explain and
promise not to do it any more, and--"
"I haven't done anything which requires explanation," I said irritably.
"Of course not, but that may not be Zena's view, and I daresay Mrs.
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