"Have you heard the news?"
"What news?"
"Hasn't Cyril told you?"
"He told me something last night, but I really couldn't tell you quite what it was he told me, and I haven't seen him since."
"He is in Brighton?"
"Is he? I was informed that he was stopping in town."
"You were informed? By whom?"
"By an acquaintance, who said that he saw him there."
Mr. Franklyn waited before speaking again. His unflinching eyes seemed to be studying the lady's face. Probably he saw that there was something unusual in her manner.
"That is strange. I was under the impression that he was in Brighton. I have come from town specially to see him. I expected to find him with you here."