“What about her?”
The detective pretended not to notice anything unusual in the other’s tone, and quietly said:
“I want to know what you can tell me about her in a general way.”
“Is this because you would in any way try to connect her with this case?”
“Let future events determine that. At present I do not specifically suspect anybody. For instance, I would like to know how it is that you chance to be acquainted with her.”
“I cannot help saying to you that I consider this as a trifle personal.”
“Just as you please,” in a calm tone. “You can answer or not as you think best. The information I want can easily be obtained from other sources.”
“Tell me frankly if you have any idea that she is in anywise connected with this mystery.”
“I am not saying anything about it just now.”
“Your answer is almost equivalent to saying that you do suspect her, which, being the case, I wish to say that I will stake my very existence on it that she is all that a good, pure and honest woman should be.”