“Oh, that’s all right. I didn’t wish to be inquisitive.”
“You can imagine how absurd it was for a man of my standing to be accused of raising the alarm of fire on the boat.”
“Yes,” answered Gerald non-commitally.
In his own mind he was convinced that Standish did raise the alarm, but did not consider it necessary to say so.
“You are much indebted to the gentleman who came to your assistance,” he said instead.
“Yes, he is a gentleman! I believe you know him?”
“Yes. Is he staying in St. Louis?”
“I think he went on to New Orleans.”
“But he left the boat.”
“Yes, for a day or two. I have not seen him since.”