"Not a one in the world that I know of. She was a friendly woman. Of course, that was good business policy. No, she had no enemies. Most people liked her."
"So I've heard. Well, we'll get at the truth somehow. Now brace up."
"I'm trying to, Colonel."
"Well, try harder. When I go to see Miss Mason—"
"You are going to see Amy?" cried the prisoner eagerly.
"Yes. But if I have to tell her you looked as though you had lost every last friend you had in the world—"
"It's all right, Colonel. Tell her you saw me—laughing!" and Darcy did manage to utter what might pass for a laugh. It was a good attempt.
"Good! That's better, though there's room for improvement," said the detective. "Now, I'll leave you. I have lots to do."
"I'm sorry. Colonel, to put you to all this trouble—"
"Pooh! Now I'm in it there's no trouble that's too much. I'll get about the same fun out of this as I would if I fished—and I'll fish with greater enjoyment later on—when I've cleared you."