"Why should you?" I remarked. "I may confess to you, doctor, that I apply almost everything I hear to the case upon which I am engaged. I shall surprise you even more when I ask you whether, during the time you were in 32 Lavender Terrace, you heard the name of Edward Layton mentioned?"
"No," replied Dr. Daincourt; "his name was not mentioned. Bainbridge, I know that you are not given to idle talk; there is always some meaning in what you say."
"Assuredly," I said, "I am not in the mood for idle talk just now. Events are marching on, doctor, and I am inclined to think that we are on the brink of a discovery. You have not yet told me all I wish to know concerning Miss Mabel Rutland. What members of the family did you see?"
"Her mother, her father, and herself," replied Dr. Daincourt.
"Do those comprise the whole of the family?"
"I do not know; I did not inquire."
"Give me some description of her parents."
"Her father," said Dr. Daincourt, "is a gentleman of about sixty years of age."
"Is there any doubt in your mind that he is a gentleman?"
"Not the slightest."