cause I was
afraid you might refuse. She has been antagonistic to you hitherto. The
fact that Grell advertised you in somewhat the same manner as herself
has given her the idea that, after all, you too might be trying to
shield him. Naturally, she wants to be certain, in order that you may
join forces. That's why I prevented you saying anything. Now, if you go
back to her you may tell her that I practically forced you to accompany
me. You can win her confidence, and through her we may get on the right
track."

An angry flush mounted to Fairfield's temples.

"In short," he said curtly, "you want me to act as a spy on an
unsuspecting girl. No, thanks. That's not in our bargain."

He was genuinely angry at the proposal. The superintendent saw that he
had been too blunt, and made haste to repair his error.

"Don't be in a hurry," he protested. "The girl, as I told her, is
beginning to be mixed up in a dangerous business. This is the only way
to extricate her. You may help her and Grell and us by doing as I ask.
Consider it coolly, and you will see it is the best thing to do."

Sir Ralph set down his cup and fingered his watch-chain. Foyle signalled
the waitress, paid the bill, lit a cigar and waited.

"I'll have to think over it," said Fairfield thoughtfully. "Give me an
hour or two."

"Right you are," agreed the detective heartily, and they made their way
out into the street.

CHAPTER XXIX

It was with mixed feelings that Fairfield yielded at last to Foyle's
arguments and returned to see Eileen Meredith. To his consent he had
attached the condition that he was to be allowed to use his own judgment
as to how much of the interview he should communicate to the detective,
and with this Foyle had to be content.

The baronet found the girl waiting for him, her face alight with
eagerness. She was in her own boudoir, luxuriously ensconced in a big
arm-chair, and she smiled brightly at him--such a smile as he had not
seen since before the murder. He obeyed her invitation to sit down.

"You wanted to see me alone," he said.

She nodded. "Yes, I want to know if we are allies--or enemies. I know I
have treated you abominably, but I was driven half mad by the thought
that Bob was dead. Now we are working together--are we not?"

He made a little gesture with his hands, helplessly as one at a loss.

"In so far as we both wish to get Grell out of his difficulty--and I
wish I knew what that was--yes," he replied. "