"What has happened to her?"
"Whisked off by formidable maiden-aunt. She'll probably marry a wealthy stockbroker within the year - if there are any wealthy stockbrokers left!"
Mrs. Kane shivered. "However nit-witted she may be, it's pretty ghastly for her, knowing that her mother was a murderess."
"Won't know it," said Jim, drawing out his pouch, and beginning to fill a pipe. "Hemingway will put in a report, and it'll be Murder by Persons Unknown."
"Did he tell you so?"
"More or less. After Guisborough's arrest, Timothy got hold of him, and he came round to Paper Buildings, to have a drink, and talk over old times. Lord, do you realise how many years it is since -"
"Yes," said Mrs. Kane. "I expect you had a lovely evening, but I don't want to remember those particular old times, thank you, dear! Isn't the girl bound to wonder about that first murder, and perhaps guess?"
"I shouldn't think so. As far as I could see, she isn't given either to speculation or to the process of reasoned thought. What's more, it stood out a mile that she didn't care two hoots for her mother. According to what the aunt poured into my ears yesterday, Mrs. Haddington's obsession about her took the form of sending her to expensive boarding-schools, arranging for her to spend her holidays winter-sporting, or sun-bathing, lavishing money on her, but rarely having her with her, until she brought her out."
"But why?"
"Not disclosed. Timothy thinks Mrs. Haddington and Seaton-Carew were hand-in-glove in various shady undertakings. Doesn't seem to be much doubt they lived together, so I daresay that was why Cynthia was kept away."