"
"Not at all!" exclaimed the Prophet, with frenzied courtesy, "not at
all!"
"Yes, you do. But you're wrong. He doesn't exactly admire my character,
but he likes me because I'm tall, and have pleasant coloured eyes,
and thick hair, and walk well, and know that he's really an unusually
sensible old man."
"Oh, is that it?"
"Yes. But now, if he could be made to think that I really am what I look
like--a thoroughly sensible young woman, he would more than admire me,
he would adore me."
"But if you wish him to?" asked the Prophet in blank amazement.
"I do."
"Why?"
"The Miss Minerva part of me desires it."
"Indeed."
"Yes. He's got to do one or two things for Miss Minerva without knowing
that I'm Miss Minerva. That is why I bolted into the parlour yesterday.
Just as I was stepping into Jellybrand's I happened to see Sir Tiglath
and he happened to think he saw me."
"Only to think?"
"Yes. He is not certain. I saw that by the expression of his face. He
was wondering whether I was me--or is it I?--or not. I didn't give him
time to be certain. I rushed into the parlour."
"You did."
"So it's all right. Frederick Smith would never betray a client.
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