He answered, "No. I didn't even know that he'd gone away, till his clerk told me."
Julia hesitated. "I'm speaking to you in absolute confidence?"
"Of course."
"Then please tell me: Have you heard any--any rumors?"
Jimmy chewed the cud for ten full seconds before replying: "You mean--about a certain lady?"
"I mean precisely that."
"So far, none." Now it was Jimmy's turn to hesitate. "But, speaking entirely in confidence, there are bound to be rumors--if he stays away much longer."
"You know nothing for certain then?"
"Officially--nothing." The solicitor inspected his finger nails. "But I'm afraid that, unofficially, I know a good deal."
"Including the name of the lady?"