The Marquis was astonished.
There was a note of admiration in her voice that he was accustomed to hear only when a lady was talking about him.
“Why are you so impressed with Burton?” he asked. “I have met him once or twice and naturally I much admire him and his many achievements.”
“You have met him?” enthused Lanthia excitedly. “Oh, how lucky you are! I have read and re-read his books and, as I have just said, I am sure he would think of a way out of this difficult situation.”
“Burton is certainly a past-master at disguise and of course a great explorer, which is why we had something in common when we met.”
Lanthia looked at him with what he thought was an incredulous expression.
“Are you saying that you are an explorer too?”
“I have certainly travelled a great deal,” replied the M
