“That, I am afraid, we cannot give you.”
No doubt they were pestered with similar inquiries by individuals who were more or less idiots, and altogether impertinent; and, quite possibly, he took me for a member of that considerable family. I gave him my card.
“There is my name. The lady who is the original of that portrait has met with an accident. I did not know that she was Miss Moore until you told me, but it is important that I should be able to communicate with her friends at once.”
“An accident? I am sorry to hear that Miss Moore has met with an accident. If you will wait a moment I will make inquiries.”
The assistant disappeared; presently returning with an older man, who examined my card as he came. He addressed me:
“You are Mr. Ferguson?”
“I am.”
“You say that Miss Moore has met with an accident?”
“I do.”
“What is its nature?”