"A good many stories about his love affairs—with women who were prominent socially."
Barker shrugged.
"Most likely they're true; although it's a safe bet that a heap of 'em was lies. Men folks have a way of lyin' about women that way, even where they'll tell the truth about everything else. They've got women beaten ninety-seven ways gossiping about that sort of thing."
"You know a thing or two yourself, Barker?"
The man flushed with pleasure.
"Oh, I ain't nobody's pet jackass, when it comes to that!"
"Now you"—Carroll's tone was gentle, almost hypnotic—"of course you know who the woman is that Mr. Warren was planning to elope with?"
"I know—"
Suddenly Barker paused, and his face went white. He compressed his lips with an effort and choked back the words. Leverage, leaning forward in tense eagerness—knowing the verbal trap that Carroll had been planting—sighed with disappointment, and relaxed.
"Say, what the hell are you driving at!"