“Very well, Mr. Carter.�
“Who was your companion?�
“My—companion?â€�
“Yes. In the car you used last night. Who was your companion? You had one, did you not, Mr. Lynne?�
The man turned and looked closely at the detective for a fleeting instant before he replied; then, with a shrug of his shoulders, as if there were no help for introducing a disagreeable topic, or one that he would have preferred to keep out of the conversation, he said:
“Yes, Mr. Carter, I had a companion with me last night; a lady—the lady who is soon to become my second wife. I have long been a widower, Mr. Carter.â€�
“Thank you. The lady’s name, if you please?�
“Is it necessary to bring her into it, Mr. Carter?�
“Unless it should prove to be necessary, you may be assured that she will not be brought into it, Mr. Lynne. But I must know all the facts connected with last night. Will you tell me the lady’s name, and where she may be found, if that is necessary?�
“Really, Mr. Carter——â€�