and silver, I will give you for that gold of yours forty
pounds and five shillings. Gold is useful to me in my
business. Oh -- and, Frau Bauer? When you do go
to the Post Office I should be glad if you would send off
this telegram for me. It is a business telegram, as you
can see, in fact a code telegram."

She took the piece of paper in her hand, then looked
at it and at him, uncomprehendingly.

"It concerns a consignment of bitter oranges. I do
not want the Witanbury Post Office to know my business."

"Yes, I understand what you mean."

"It is, as you see, a Spanish telegram, and it will
cost" -- he made a rapid calculation, then went to the
sideboard and took out some silver. "It will cost five-and-sixpence.
I therefore give you seven-and-sixpence,
Frau Bauer. That is two shillings for your trouble.
If possible, I should prefer that no one sees this telegram
being despatched. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, yes. I quite understand."

"And if you are asked who gave it you to despatch,
say it is a Mrs. Smith, slightly known to you, whom
you just met, and who was in too great a hurry to
catch her train to come into the Post Office."

Anna took a large purse out of her capacious pocket.
In it she put the telegram and the money. "I will send
it off tomorrow morning," she exclaimed. "You may
count on me."

"Frau Bauer?"

She turned back.

"Only to wish you again a cordial good-night, and
to say I hope you will come again soon!"

"Indeed, that I will," she called out gratefully.

[[148]]

p147 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p148w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p149

v?