Page:Rowland--The closing net.djvu/240

222 Instead of acting up as I had counted, however, she gave me a quiet little smile and answered:

"Do I strike you as the sort to file away and leave a fellow American in a bad corner? Not much! You've engaged me for the whole afternoon, and it's not yet two o clock. What you are after, as I dope it out, is to draw the fire of this Chu-Chu person. You want to make sure that he means business, and you think that, if he does, the sooner you liquidate the better. Well, the forest of Marly is just the place for two people with your trouble. And"—she glanced at me and a sort of warmth came into her eyes—"I'm not worrying myself to death over the result. You look as if you could manage to take care of yourself."

I shook my head.

"It won't do, Rosalie," I answered. "If Chu-Chu should happen to know that you were an American he would suspect you of working with me or trying to help. He's as revengeful as a Pathan, and there's no telling what he might do to you afterward. Besides, he's seen you once to-day, and if he were to catch sight of you again he might get suspicious. I'll manage some other way. I've got a little scheme. It may not work, but there's no great harm in trying it. If you're interested to know how it pans out drop into the Bon Cocher at about noon to-morrow."

She saw that I meant it, so she gave in; and I thanked her and squared up. Rosalie would let me pay her only the regular amount and the regular tip for an out-of-town course. Then we shook hands and she stepped up to her seat when I