“Ah, thank you very much, Mr. Gilsey,” cried Miss Braddon, beaming gratefully as she arose from her table. “That will be very nice, sir. I can do a little shopping.”
The banker nodded and smiled, then reverted to Nick, and conversed with him upon casual matters while the girl prepared to go. Apparently, Nick did not notice her, but he nevertheless saw all that was worth noting.
As Miss Braddon put on a broad picture hat and her light wrap, her expression became more grave and her cheeks lost some of their color.
Twice she glanced furtively at the detective, with a certain resentful gleam in her pretty eyes. That it did not entirely please her, despite her effusive thanks, was evinced in the slight curl of her red lips; yet she presently bowed politely and departed, gently closing the office door.
“An attractive girl, Gilsey, your stenographer,” remarked Nick carelessly.
“Miss Braddon?” queried the banker, smiling complacently. “So she is, Nick, and as capable and charming as she is showy.”
“I did not say showy,” laughed Nick dryly. “I said attractive.”
“Much the same, Nick, when applied to a woman.”
“Has she been long in your employ?”
“About four months.”