received me immediately, and as soon as I came in I saw I hadn't
lost my power to minister to his mirth. He laughed out at sight of
my face, which doubtless expressed my perturbation. I had been
indiscreet--my compunction was great. "I HAVE told somebody," I
panted, "and I'm sure that person will by this time have told
somebody else! It's a woman, into the bargain."

"The person you've told?"

"No, the other person. I'm quite sure he must have told her."

"For all the good it will do her--or do ME! A woman will never
find out."

"No, but she'll talk all over the place: she'll do just what you
don't want."

Vereker thought a moment, but wasn't so disconcerted as I had
feared: he felt that if the harm was done it only served him
right. "It doesn't matter--don't worry."

"I'll do my best, I promise you, that your talk with me shall go no
further."

"Very good; do what you can."

"In the meantime," I pursued, "George Corvick's possession of the
tip may, on his part, really lead to something."

"That will be a brave day."