“We were at the same house about two weeks. We did not, unfortunately, meet again until I arrived here the day before yesterday.�
“Indeed. It would seem as if you should have made an effort to get together sooner than that, under the circumstances. I suppose you both dreaded the moment when Edythe had to be informed of the prospective relationship.�
Lynne grasped at that straw, as Nick would have called it.
“Yes; that was it,� he said eagerly. “I dreaded to tell Edythe about it; Mrs. Babbington insisted, rightly of course, that she should be told at once. I really think, Mr. Carter, that I found excuses to defer my home-coming, solely on that account.�
“No doubt. No doubt. Really, now, were there no little things that happened here in town when you knew Mrs. Babbington here, that led you to think that she might some day be your wife?�
The man turned a half angry glance upon the detective, and then the ghost of a fleeting smile appeared for an instant on his face.
“What a prober you are, Mr. Carter,� he said, with an effort at kindness, but Nick could see that it was an effort, and that there was something behind it, too.
“My dear, sir,� he said quickly, “I am trying to play the friend, as well as the enforced companion, since you want my professional services. I am endeavoring to discuss subjects that will lead your thoughts into pleasant channels. Now, for instance, when you first met your present fiancée in Scotland, you must have been greatly changed, by reason of your recent illness.�
“Indeed I was very greatly changed in every way.�
“And she saw it at once, of course.�