"No," said Mrs. Perth in her decisive tones, "I have not seen Mr. O'Neil lately. He called once after your departure, Mr. Jarman, but since then has not favoured us with a visit."
"Do you know that he has gone away?" asked Eustace.
"Gone away?" replied Mrs. Perth. "What do you mean?"
"What I say," said Jarman, rather chafed. "He has gone away, and I thought that you might know where he is?"
Mrs. Perth drew herself up in a prim manner.
"Why should I know, Mr. Jarman?" she said stiffly. "Your friend's movements have no interest for me. It seems to me that you should know best where he is. I presume he gave you notice, being your secretary?"
"He left a letter saying he was going. I never expected him to leave so suddenly."
"There appears to be a mystery about him."
"Oh, not at all," rejoined the big man, quickly, "but he is an odd fellow, and doubtless left in a freakish way. I only came to ask, as I thought he might have called before going."
"He called only the once, when Mr. Darrel was here. He and Mr. Darrel went away together."