"Even by the law?"
"Even by the law. Will you have hock or claret?"
"Hock, please, and some seltzer. I congratulate you on your courageous conscience, Major. Few people, even the best of us, can stand having their secret lives looked into."
Rebb passed along a glass foaming with the drink, and shrugged his shoulders as he took up the claret jug. "Did you come here to preach platitudes?" he asked cynically.
Gerald took a long drink, and set down his glass with a laugh. "No. I came to ask you where Mavis Durham is hiding."
"How should I know? She may be dead for all I can tell. And, indeed," added Rebb to himself, "I believe she is dead, else she would have been discovered long ago. Have you any idea of her whereabouts?"
"If I had would I ask you?" fenced Gerald coolly. "I stopped on the night of that poor girl's flight at the Prince's Head, as you will find if you ask Mrs. Jennings.
"I have asked her already, and I know that."
"Ah! Then you did suspect me of having a hand in the murder."
"I fancied that you might, since you loved Mavis, and wanted to get her away from here. I hope you are satisfied with your work."