“Thank you, Madame,” he said, taking the passport from her. He cleared his throat. “But what I really desire is a little information.”
“Information?”
The Commissary nodded his head slowly.
“About a lady who has been a fellow-passenger of yours. You lunched with her yesterday.”
“I am afraid I can’t tell you anything about her. We fell into conversation over our meal, but she is a complete stranger to me. I have never seen her before.”
“And yet,” said the Commissary sharply, “you returned to her compartment with her after lunch and sat talking for some time?”
“Yes,” said Katherine; “that is true.”
The Commissary seemed to expect her to say something more. He looked at her encouragingly.
“Yes, Madame?”
“Well, Monsieur?” said Katherine.
“You can, perhaps, give me some kind of idea of that conversation?”
“I could,” said Katherine, “but at the moment I see no reason to do so.”
In a somewhat British fashion she felt annoyed. This foreign official seemed to her impertinent.
“No reason?” cried the Commissary. “Oh yes, Madame, I can assure you that there is a reason.”
“Then perhaps you will give it to me.”