“Because two detectives have been bothering me, and every other person in these mansions, about some mysterious lady who called here two months ago. They don’t know where she called, nor will they state her name; as if any one could possibly know anything about it. So I naturally thought you were on the same errand.”
“Confound that rascal White,” growled he to himself.
But Mrs. Hillmer went on: “If that is not your business, would you mind telling me what it is?”
Now Bruce’s alert brain had been actively engaged during the last few seconds. This woman was not the clever, specious adventuress he had half expected to meet. It seemed more than ever unlikely that she could have any knowledge of Lady Dyke or the causes that led to her disappearance. He was tempted to frame some excuse and take his departure. But the certainty that his missing friend had visited Raleigh Mansions, and the necessity there was for exploiting every line of inquiry, impelled him to adopt this last resource.
“It is not concerning a missing lady, but concerning a missing gentleman that I have come to see you.”
The shot went home.
Why, for the life of him, he could not tell, but his companion was manifestly disturbed at his words.
“Oh,” she said.
Then, after a little pause: “May I ask his name?”