“Does that apply to me as well?”
Sir Frank purposely hesitated before answering.
“There is no reason why I shouldn’t have a confidential talk with you as well, if you desire it. But at present I have only asked to see Mrs. Weathered.”
The name seemed to irritate the girl.
“My mother has dropped the name of Weathered,” she said sharply. “In future she desires to be known as Mrs. Neobard.”
Tarleton was struck by her tone. It conveyed to him that the change of name had not been made with a view to concealment, but was due to some deeper cause.
Up to now Miss Neobard had made no reference to the whereabouts of the travellers having been so soon discovered. She now threw out the question scornfully.
“I suppose the police are on our track, as we came here without giving anyone our address. Is that confidential?”
“Certainly not.” The doctor was getting a little irritated by this time. “Your leaving London while the mystery of Dr. Weathered’s death was still unsolved was enough to provoke the suspicion of the police. They were bound to keep you in sight.”
Sarah couldn’t very well contradict this. She lifted her head more defiantly than ever.