"Senora de Moche is a friend of Mr. Whitney?" queried Kennedy.
"Yes, I believe she has placed some of her affairs in his hands. The de Moches live at the Prince Edward Albert Hotel, and Mr. Whitney lives there, too. I suppose they see more or less of each other."
"H-m," mused Kennedy. "You know Mr. Whitney, I suppose?"
"Not very well," she answered. "Of course, I have met him. He has been
to visit my father, and my father has been down at his office, with Mr.
Lockwood. But I do not know much about him, except that he is what you
Americans call a promoter."
Apparently, Inez was endeavouring to be frank in telling her suspicions, much more so even than Norton had been. But I could not help feeling that she was trying to shield some one, though not to the extent of consciously putting us on a wrong scent.
"I shall try to see Mr. Whitney as soon as possible," said Kennedy, as she rose to go. "And Senora de Moche, too."
I fancied that Senorita Inez, although she had not told us much, felt relieved.
Again she murmured her thanks as she left and again Kennedy repeated his injunction to tell everything that happened that could possibly have any bearing on the case.
"That's a rather peculiar phase," he considered, when we were alone, "this de Moche affair."
"Yes," I agreed. "Do you suppose that woman could be using Whitney for some purpose?"