Her lips moved and I expected an angry denial, but fear kept her back.

She did not dare to appear to understand this paper any better than I did.

Besides, she was doubtless conscious that its secret was not one to yield to any mere puzzle-reader.

She could safely trust it to my curiosity.

All this I detected in her changing expression, before she made the slightest gesture which allowed me to secure what I felt to be the most valuable acquisition in the present exigency.
Then she turned to her telegram.