"You have heard of her disappearance?"
"Yes; I was very sorry to hear of it."
"It seems her father has exhausted every known means of finding her, and
I thought you might, at least, give him a clew."
"I should be most happy to do so, if I could; but I assure you I haven't the least idea where she has gone. I am indeed sorry, as I expressed to her father the other day."
"You were with her a good deal."
"Well, not a good deal, Mr. Trent—just a little," he smilingly corrected. "I will admit I'd liked to have seen more of her, but I soon learned that I had not the ghost of a chance with you in the field."
"You are making fun, Mr. Lamont."
"Not at all, my good fellow. You are the lucky dog when it comes to Miss Duke. A fine girl she is, a mighty fine girl—a diamond, just a little in the rough. As I'm apparently out of the race, go to it, Mr. Trent and win her. Good luck to you. I don't think you'll have much trouble."
Dorian was somewhat nonplused by this fulsome outburst. He could not for a moment find anything to say. The two men looked at each other for a moment as if each were measuring the other. Then Mr. Lamont said:
"If at any time I can help you, let me know—call on me. Now you'll have to excuse me as I have some business matters to attend to."