Crewe reflected.

’I shall have to look into Mrs. Damerel’s affairs.  Might be worth while.  Where is she living?’ He made a note of the information.  ‘Well, anything else to tell me?’

Beatrice spoke of business matters, then asked him if he had been out of town lately.  The question sounded rather abrupt, and caused Crewe to regard her with an expression she privately interpreted.

‘A few short runs.  Nowhere particular.’

‘Oh?—­Not been down into Cornwall?’

He lost his temper.

’What are you after?  What business is it of yours?  If you’re going to spy on me, I’ll soon let you know that I won’t stand that kind of thing.’

‘Don’t disturb yourself,’ said Beatrice, with a cold smile.  ’I haven’t been spying, and you can go where you like for anything I care.  I guessed you had been down there, that’s all.’

Crewe kept silence, his look betraying uneasiness as well as anger.  Speaking at length, he fixed her with keen eyes.

’If it’s any satisfaction to you, you’re welcome to know that I have been into Cornwall—­and to Falmouth.’

Beatrice merely nodded, and still he searched her face.

’Just answer me a plain question, old chap.  Come, there’s no nonsense between us; we know each other—­eh?’

‘Oh yes, we know each other,’ Miss.  French answered, her lips puckering a little.

’What do you know about her?  What has she been doing all this time?’

Beatrice laughed.

‘I know just as little about her as I care.’

’You care a good deal more than you’ll confess.  I wouldn’t be up to women’s tricks, if I were you.’

She revolted.

‘After all, I suppose I am a woman?’

‘Well, I suppose so.’  Crewe grinned good-naturedly.  ’But that isn’t in the terms of our partnership, you remember.  You can be a reasonable fellow enough, when you like.  Just tell me the truth.  What do you know about Nancy Lord?’ Beatrice assumed an air of mystery.

’I’ll tell you that, if you tell me what it is you want of her.  Is it her money?’

‘Her money be damned!’

‘It’s herself, then.’

‘And what if it is?  What have you to say to it?’

Her eyes fell, and she muttered ‘Nothing.’

’Just bear that in mind, then.  And now that I’ve answered your question, answer mine.  What have you heard about her?  Or what have you found out?’

She raised her eyes again and again, but in a mocking voice said, ‘Nothing.’

‘You’re telling me a lie.’

‘You’re a brute to say so!’

They exchanged fierce glances, but could not meet each other’s eyes steadily.  Crewe, mastering his irritation, said with a careless laugh: 

‘All right, I believe you.  Didn’t mean to offend you, old chap.’

‘I won’t be called that!’ She was trembling with stormy emotions.  ‘You shall treat me decently.’