“Mrs. Hazleton,” began Butler, smoothing the way for us, “of course you realize that we are working in your interests. Professor Kennedy, therefore, in a sense, represents both of us.”
“I am quite sure I shall be delighted to help you,” she said with an absent expression, though not ungraciously.
Butler, having introduced us, courteously withdrew. “I leave this entirely in your hands,” he said, as he excused himself. “If you want me to do anything more, call on me.”
I must say that I was much surprised at the way she had received us. Was there in it, I wondered, an element of fear lest if she refused to talk suspicion might grow even greater? One could see anxiety plainly enough on her face, as she waited for Kennedy to begin.
A few moments of general conversation then followed.
“Just what is it you fear?” he asked, after having gradually led around to the subject. “Have there been any threatening letters?”
“N-no,” she hesitated, “at least nothing—definite.”
“Gossip?” he hinted.
“No.” She said it so positively that I fancied it might be taken for a plain “Yes.”
“Then what is it?” he asked, very deferentially, but firmly.