“Are you a New Yorker, Mrs. Atkins?” inquired the detective.
“No.”
“Ah, I thought not! And where do you come from?”
“Chicago.”
“Chicago? Indeed! I’ve been there some myself,” Mr. Merritt continued, in a conversational tone. “Nice place. How long is it since you left there?”
“Six months,” she answered, curtly.
“So it was in Chicago you knew your friend?”
“Yes,” she admitted, with a slight start.
“And you are sure he didn’t belong there?”
“Yes; but look here: why are you asking such a lot of questions about him? I’ve told you his name and where he’s gone to, and if you can’t find him that’s your lookout.”