VI
Some days passed before Granice could obtain a word with the District Attorney: he began to think that Allonby avoided him.
But when they were face to face Allonby�s jovial countenance showed no sign of embarrassment. He waved his visitor to a chair, and leaned across his desk with the encouraging smile of a consulting physician.
Granice broke out at once: �That detective you sent me the other day—�
Allonby raised a deprecating hand.
�—I know: it was Stell the alienist. Why did you do that, Allonby?�
The other�s face did not lose its composure. �Because I looked up your story first—and there�s nothing in it.�
�Nothing in it?� Granice furiously interposed.
�Absolutely nothing. If there is, why the deuce don�t you bring me proofs? I know you�ve been talking to Peter Ascham, and to Denver, and to that little ferret McCarren of the Explorer. Have any of them been able to make out a case for you? No. Well, what am I to do?�