He stared at her until she began fidgeting uncomfortably.

“I must appear very stupid for you to make such an answer,” he said at last. “Now, let me ask you once more: Why are you following me?”

“I’m a journalist,” said Virtue. “You’re a romantic figure. I thought you might make a good story.”

He stared at her again, without expression, without passion, and again she found herself increasingly uneasy.

“I’m only going to ask you one more time,” he said, “so I want you to consider your answer very carefully.”

“You’re making me very nervous,” said Virtue self-righteously.

“Being followed makes me very nervous,” replied the Angel. “Why have you been doing it?”

“I wanted to meet you.”

Virtue noticed that her glass was empty and reached for the bottle, but the Angel was faster and placed it on the far side of the table.

“Why did you want to meet me?” he persisted.

“I think we may be able to help each other.”

He stared at her, offering no reply, and finally she resumed speaking.

“You’re after Santiago. So am I.”

“Then we’re competitors.”

“No,” she said hastily. “I’m not after the reward. All I want is the story.” She paused. “And I really could use a story on you as well.”

“I have no interest in your journalistic aspirations,” said the Angel. “Why should I let you come along?”

“I have information that you may not have,” said Virtue.

“I doubt it.”

“Can you afford to take the chance?”

“I think so.” He paused and stared at her again. “But I don’t know if I can take the chance that you’ll return to Sebastian Cain and tell him where I am and where I’m going next.”

“Who’s Sebastian Cain?” she asked innocently.

“He’s a very foolish man who has taken on too much excess baggage,” replied the Angel. “Did you offer him the same deal you offered me—he gets the reward and you get the story?”

“Yes. Except that the Swagman gets something, too. Santiago’s art collection, I think.”

“And Cain sent you here to spy on me?”

She shook her head. “Coming here was my own idea.” He stared silently at her, and again she felt herself compelled to say more than she had intended. “I’ve sized up the candidates, and I’m going with the winner. If anyone can kill Santiago, you’re the one.”

“And you’ll remain completely loyal to me?” he said sardonically. “Until you hear of someone else who’s even better, that is?”

“That’s unfair.”

“But selling out your partner isn’t?” he asked, a note of distaste in his voice. “I wonder what it is about Cain that makes people desert him. The Jolly Swagman has left him, too, you know.”

“Who told you that?” asked Virtue, genuinely surprised.