"Do you know Jasper Cobb?"
"I do—he's an—"
"Do you know James Dalls?"
"I do—he's a—"
"Well, now; has Mr. Dieman decided to continue keeping company with these people?" asked Edith, warming to her subject.
"For what reason do you ask?" he asked, eyeing her closely, so much so that Edith was discomfitted by his sharp stare.
"It is a matter that concerns me personally, Miss Barton here, and my father," she answered.
"That's not very informing," he replied.
"Do you know Mr. John Winthrope, my father's former secretary?" she asked.
"I never saw him—don't recall that I ever heard of him—yes, believe so—didn't Mr. Dieman speak to me once about him? (asking himself)—yes, believe he did. Well, what of him?"