Woodward Kane pulled at his short, yellow mustache and stared at Jasper with his large, blank, blue eyes. “As a matter of fact I didn’t call to see my sister, but to see you. I have just come from Elizabeth. She is at my house. She came to me this morning.”
Jasper’s fingers tightened on the chair. “She is sick?”
“No.” There was a pause during which the blank, blue eyes staring at him slowly gathered a look of cold pleasure. Jasper was aware that this man who hated him was enjoying his present mission.
“Shall we sit down? I shall have to take a good deal of your time, I am afraid. There is rather a good deal to be gone over.”
Jasper sat down in the chair the back of which he had been holding. “Will you smoke?” he asked, and smiled his charming smile.
There was now not a trace of embarrassment, anger, or anxiety about him. His eyes were quiet, his voice flexible. Woodward declined to smoke, crossed his beautifully clothed legs and drew a small gray envelope from his pocket. Jasper’s eyes fastened upon it at once. It was Betty’s paper and her angular, boyish writing marched across it. Evidently the note was addressed to him. He waited while Woodward turned it about in his long, stiff, white fingers.
“About two months ago Betty came to me one evening in great distress of mind. She asked for my advice and to the best of my ability I gave it to her. I wish that she had asked for it ten years ago. She might have saved herself a great deal. This time she has not only asked for it, but she has been following it, and, in following it, she has now left your house and come to mine. This, of course, will not surprise you.”
“It does, however, surprise me greatly.” It was still the gentle murmur, but Jasper’s cigarette smoke veiled his face.
“I cannot understand that. However, it’s not my business. Betty has asked me to interview you to-day so that she may be spared the humiliation. After this, you must address your communications to her lawyers. In a short time Rogers and Daring will serve you with notice of divorce.”
Jasper sat perfectly still, leaning slightly forward, his cigarette between his fingers.