“I apologize,” said Max.

Olga smiled faintly.  “It’s horrid of you to talk like that.”

“It’s me,” said Max.

She dried the last of her tears.  “What—­what did you do with him?”

“Packed him into the motor and told Mitchel to drive him home.”

“I wish Mitchel would run into something and kill him!” said Olga, with sudden vehemence.

Max’s brows went up.  “Afraid I didn’t give Mitchel instructions to that effect.”

He spoke without raising his eyes, being quite obviously intent upon his darning.  Olga watched him for a few seconds in silence.  Finally she gave herself a slight shake and rose.

“You’re doing that on the right side,” she said.

“It’s the best way to approach this kind of hole,” said Max.

She came and stood by his side, still closely watching him.

“Dr. Wyndham!” she said at last, her voice very low.

“Please don’t make me nervous!” said Max.

“Don’t, please!” she said.  “I want to speak to you seriously.”

He drew out his needle with a reflective air.  “Are you going to ask me to prescribe for you?”

“No.”

“Then don’t call me ’Dr. Wyndham’!” he said severely.  “I don’t answer to it, except in business hours.”

She smiled faintly.  “Max, then!  Will you do me a favour?”

Max’s eyes found hers with disconcerting suddenness.  “On one condition,” he said.

“What is it?”

The corner of his mouth went up.  “I will name my condition when you have named your favour.”

She hesitated momentarily.  “Oh, it isn’t very much,” she said.  “I only want you not to tell—­Nick, or anyone—­about—­about what happened this afternoon.”

“Why isn’t Nick to know?” asked Max.

“He would be so angry,” she said, “and he couldn’t do any good.  He would only go and get himself hurt.”

“Would you care to know what Hunt-Goring said to me after you had effected a retreat?” asked Max.

The hot colour began to fade out of her cheeks.  “Yes,” she said, under her breath.

“He said—­you know his breezy style:  ’Don’t be astonished!  Miss Ratcliffe and I understand one another.  In fact, we’ve been more or less engaged for a long time, though it isn’t generally known.’”

“Max!” Olga started back as if from a blow.  “He never said—­that!”

“Yes, he did.  I guessed it was a lie,” said Max, “in spite of appearances.”

She winced.  “It is a lie!” she said with vehemence.  “You—­you told him so?”

“I was not in a position to do that,” said Max.  “But if you authorize me to do so—­”

“Yes—­yes?” she said feverishly.

“I can only do it if you accept my condition,” he said.

“That means you want me to tell you everything,” she said.

“No, it doesn’t.  I know quite as much as I need to know, and I shan’t believe anything he may be pleased to say on the subject.  It’s up to you to tell me as much or as little as you like.  No, the condition is this, and there is nothing in it that you need jib at.  If you really want me to give him the lie, you must furnish me with full authority.  You must put me in a position to do it effectually.”