〃You have e into a lot of money； Monsieur。〃
〃What the devil has that got to do with you？〃
The te drew himself up。
〃Monsieur； my name is tarnished！ I am suspected … accused … of foul crime。〃
〃The accusation does not e from me；〃 said Derek coldly； 〃as an interested party I have not expressed any opinion。〃
〃I am innocent；〃 said the te； 〃I swear before heaven …〃 he raised his hand to heaven … 〃that I am innocent。〃
〃M。 Carrege is； I believe； the Juge d'Instruction in charge of the case；〃 hinted Derek politely。
The te took no notice。
〃Not only am I unjustly suspected of a crime that I did not mit； but I am also in serious need of money。〃
He coughed softly and suggestively。
Derek rose to his feet。
〃I was waiting for that；〃 he said softly； 〃you blackmailing brute！ I will not give you a penny。 My wife is dead； and no scandal that you can make can touch her now。 She wrote you foolish letters； I dare say。 If I were to buy them from you for a round sum at this minute； I am pretty certain that you would manage to keep one or two back； and I will tell you this； M。 de la Roche； blackmailing is an ugly word both in England and in France。 That is my answer to you。 Good afternoon。〃
〃One moment …〃 the te stretched out a hand as Derek was turning to leave the room。 〃You are mistaken； Monsieur。 You are pletely mistaken。 I am； I hope； a 'gentleman。'〃
Derek laughed。
〃Any letters that a lady might w