"He looked me up," Willis admitted in mild surprise, "two days after your disappearance, thinking you might have communicated with me. Of course, I could tell him nothing. But how did you know——?"
"That suggestion, the underlying thought that I might not be intending to fight out my fight alone—that originated with Bel, didn't it?"
"Well!" Willis stammered, trying to smile disarmingly—"I confess——"
"It wasn't enough, of course, that I should have found Bel out for the dozenth time, there had to be a lover in my background to account for my leaving him! Did he mention any name?"
Willis made a negative sign. "Bellamy didn't imply—he merely said he was afraid——"
"It doesn't matter. What else did he have to say?"
"He seemed most remorseful——"
"I know how remorseful Bel can seem."
"And determined——"
"In what way?"