"What can I do?" she inquired.
"Mr. Merton's kindness to you made an impression upon you, did it not?" Marsh asked.
The girl nodded.
"Then you would naturally recollect anything of an unusual nature which might have taken place during the last few days, would you not?"
"Yes... I think so," returned the girl, somewhat guardedly.
"A telephone call late at night?" suggested Marsh.
The girl was busy with her switchboard for a time. Then she leaned back and looked at Marsh. "See here," she said, "I'd do most anything to help find that man, but I can't take a chance on losing my job."
Marsh now knew that he was going to get important information if he handled the matter diplomatically.
"Remember," he explained, confidentially, "I am not a regular detective. I have nothing to do with the city police department. There will be no publicity attached to anything I learn. I am merely looking up confidential information for Mr. Hunt, who, as you know, has charge of Mr. Merton's business."
The girl was again busy at the switchboard, and when at last there came a pause, she looked carefully around to see that no one else was within ear shot. Then she leaned toward Marsh.