“Hardly any, sir, ’pon my word. She is a Kentucky girl, and has spent but little time in this bally city. We have met none during either of our visits. We live very privately.”
“It is quite improbable, then, that the occupant of the taxicab was a friend, or even an acquaintance,” Nick pointed out. “Deception having been employed, therefore, we must assume that she was forcibly carried away. That also appears in the fact that you think the driver thrust her into the cab.”
“I’m deuced well sure of that, Mr. Carter,” Waldmere again declared. “The bally bounder placed his hand squarely on her shoulder, sir, and gave her a push. I can almost swear to that. If she——”
“Let me do most of the talking, Waldmere,” Nick interrupted. “I wish to get at the salient points as quickly as possible. Answer me with merely an affirmative, or negative, when you can.”
“Very well, sir.”
“Has your father, or any of your family, ever threatened the girl because of your marriage?” Nick then inquired. “In other words, Waldmere, do you believe any of them capable of a conspiracy against her?”
“No, sir,” protested the Englishman quickly. “They are above anything of that kind. Besides, Mr. Carter, they have jolly well cast us both out. No one knows where to find us.”
“You think, then, that they may be safely eliminated from any connection with this affair?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
“We must seek nearer home, then, for a motive,” said Nick. “Had Miss Royal any former admirer who might——”