John turns upon Holt. Without explaining, accuses him of perfidy. Holt departs, depressed by their danger of exposure.
John calls a taxi. Drives at once to the Retreat. Is putting his query to the matron when Vincent Seff emerges from room marked “Private.” Mutual recognitions instant. Seff does the lofty philanthropic. In answer to John’s demands claims to know nothing of Miss Trent except that duty forced him to eject her from Home the previous day.
Matron tries to proffer her information, but is cut short by Seff, who assures her aside:
(Insert) “It is for the girl’s best good that we throw this blood-hound off the scent. Trust my judgment.”
Matron retires from scene without giving address. Seff, with exaggerated courtesy draped over his triumph and sneers, shows John the door.
John drives at once to a detective agency. There, with hard-suppressed impatience, he retains them to find the girl he had not known was lost. Suggests:
(Insert) “Comb all the taxi and express stands in the vicinity, grill the matron of the Retreat and shadow Seff.”
Scene shifts to hallway outside Dolores’ room. Aged landlady emerges. Puts on spectacles. Reads advertisement entrusted to her.
(On Screen in Dolores’ Handwriting)
Wasted