“I did not, sir. She was a stranger.”
“Do you now know anything definite about her?”
“Only what she has told me.”
“I’m afraid that is not very reliable.”
“Dear me! What do you mean?” Mrs. Lord exclaimed apprehensively. “Who are you, sir, that you question me in this way about her?”
“My name is Carter. I am a detective,” Nick now informed her. “Mr. Gordon is mysteriously missing, also a considerable fortune from his office safe. Miss Perrot is suspected of——”
“Not of having robbed Mr. Gordon?” interrupted the landlady incredulously. “Oh, I cannot believe that, sir! She has repeatedly told me that Mr. Gordon was quite likely to marry her.”
“I would not take much stock in what she has told you,” Nick dryly advised. “Nor do I think it probable that she will ever return here.”
“Well, well, you amaze me!”
“Has she been receiving any visitors while here?”