“Yet North owns a fine motor boat.”
“About the best and fastest up here. But he doesn’t own it, he rents it by the season. Most people do that.”
“I see. And that not very pleasant factotum of his,—Joe Mills,—is he a native product?”
“No, he came up with Mr North. He’s grumpy, I admit, but he’s a good sort after all. And devoted to his master.”
“Ah, then he must be inconsolable at North’s disappearance.”
“No; on the contrary he takes it calmly enough. He says North knows his own business, and will come back when he gets ready.”
“Then he knows where North is——”
“He pretends he does,” corrected Claire. “I’m not sure that he is as easy about the matter as he pretends. I saw him this morning and I think he is pretty well disturbed about it all.”
“Guess I’ll go to see him. Thank you, Mrs Blackwood, for your patience and courtesy in answering my questions.”
“Then, Mr Wise, if you’re really grateful, do tell me what you think about the Varian affair. That’s much more mysterious and much more important than the matter of Lawrence North’s disappearance. Are they connected?”