For the life of him, Bruce could not say positively. Yet he felt the situation was too delicate to be dealt with by Mr. White’s bludgeon methods, and he forebore to speak.
The detective interpreted his silence as an admission of inability to find a satisfactory explanation of Mrs. Hillmer’s absence.
He went on:
“Corbett is not at Monte Carlo.”
“So I imagined.”
“Well, it is a fact. The police have made constant inquiries for him at the Hotel du Cercle and elsewhere. Not the slightest trace of him can be found.”
“I was there myself, you know.”
“Yes, sir. I have not forgotten that. But it shows what a clever rascal the fellow is in concealing his identity. However, he could never have counted on my discovering that letter of his. Even if he is not in America we shall have some reliable data to go upon in answer to my queries.”
“There I fully agree with you. You will have done a great deal if you thoroughly clear up the mystery regarding Corbett. May I ask you to let me know the result?”
“With pleasure, sir. And now, can I request a favor in return?”