“Yes, it is; but it comprehends precisely what I wished to say.”
“Would you mind being more direct about it?”
“I’ll be as direct as I can. What do you desire to know about her?”
“Everything.”
“Ah, my dear friend, Carter, but that is impossible.”
“Then all that you can tell me about her.”
“That is different. Yet—if you were to give me the precise line concerning which you wish information we might get at it sooner.”
“Why? What is the matter with general information concerning her?”
“There is no such thing as general information concerning her. She is not ‘general’ in any sense of the word. She is a many-sided woman. Young, you will say? Yes; but not so young as she appears to be. Beautiful? Ah, as a witch! Fascinating? She is an houri. There are no words to describe her accurately. What is the circumstance which leads you to make inquiries concerning her, my friend?”
The detective hesitated a moment; then he said: