He began to feel uneasy again. Sensing hostility on the part of his unwilling host, Hasbrouck sought to give an explanation of his visit. He glanced toward Larkin, at the door. The pale-faced man had not changed his position.
“I do not wish to annoy you, Mr. Glendenning,” said Hasbrouck. “At the same time, you must understand that it is my business to trace young Buchanan.
“So far, I have uncovered only one important fact. Robert Buchanan was engaged to your niece, Margaret Glendenning. The girl favored an early marriage. You opposed it. The last night that Buchanan was seen was the night he came here to discuss the marriage with you—”
“Why go into that?” demanded the old man angrily. “We talked about that the last time you were here. That’s true, isn’t it, Larkin?”
The quiet-faced man nodded.
“Why annoy me, then?” repeated Glendenning, turning to Don Hasbrouck. “Larkin is my secretary. He attends to such minor matters as this. Should we hear anything from Robert Buchanan” — there was biting sarcasm in the old man’s tone — “Larkin will inform you. I have your card, here.”
Glendenning reached in the pocket of his dressing gown and produced a card, which he held so Hasbrouck could see it. On the card was inscribed:
DON HASBROUCK Hasbrouck Detective Agency
Hasbrouck watched while old Glendenning fumbled with the card. A sinister expression played upon the gray-haired man’s lips. Seeing it, Hasbrouck felt a return of that dread which had almost overpowered him before.
What were the thoughts in the old man’s mind? What did he know that he had not told? Hasbrouck was determined to learn. Trying to catch Glendenning unaware, he sprang a sudden question.