The old man did not care for Buchanan. The girl, to please her uncle, was trying to forget the man she had loved; but past memories were difficult to overcome.
“I am trying to find him,” declared Harry.
He was looking toward the girl as he spoke. Harry noticed that Larkin was no longer in the room. Then he became intent upon the girl’s next statement.
“We have no idea where Robert is,” said Margaret. “I think that he should have let us know where he went. Perhaps” — her voice broke momentarily — “perhaps something has happened to him.”
“I do not think so,” interposed Glendenning. “We would have heard about it long before this. People do not vanish into thin air unless they have a good reason to depart for places unknown. Buchanan left town because he wanted to get rid of you — to let you down!”
THE harsh statement caused Harry to feel a dislike toward Clinton Glendenning. Harry looked at the girl sympathetically. She seemed almost on the point of tears. Larkin came back into the room while Harry was studying the girl.
“The best plan for you, Margaret,” said Glendenning, in a tone that was not unkindly, “is to forget Robert Buchanan. I never regarded him as worthy of you. You have promised to forget him.”
“I know it,” said the girl bravely. “Good night!”
She left the room hastily with eyes averted. Harry fancied that he heard her sobbing as she went down the hallway. The girl’s emotion was genuine. Did she know more than she had said?
Harry watched Larkin. The secretary’s face was grave. Harry felt that he would like to quiz this man.