“That also is my own affair.”
“It might help me greatly if I knew exactly what he asked for,” Clifford urged.
“Perhaps. But that cannot concern me.”
“Then you will not tell?”
“No.”
“Are you aware who this man is?”
“He’s a friend of Jack’s.”
“Not much of a friend, I hope.” Clifford still spoke in his steady, impersonal tone. “Mr. Hilton is one of several men that I am after—and he’s one of the cleverest and most dangerous of the lot. It is the easiest thing in the world for a crook who is well-dressed, well-mannered, and who can dance, to make acquaintances wherever he likes. The regular game of these crooks is to pick out a woman with money, or who can get money, make her acquaintance, gain her confidence and some of her secrets, and then lead her into a situation where she must pay or be exposed. This is your last visitor’s special line. You might help me a lot if you would tell me what Mr. Hilton wanted from you.”
“He came to see me about a personal matter of no importance,” she replied.
“Pardon me if I do not believe you,” he said.