“Just a minute,” Bernard interrupted. “Did he go to town every day?”

“He did not return to lunch,” Miss Mount concluded her sentence. “No, he goes in only once or twice a week since he retired from business.”

“When was that?”

“A little over a year ago.”

“Do you know where he went today?”

Miss Mount hesitated perceptibly. “No, I do not.”

“Can you guess?” Bernard persisted.

“Do you want guesses?”

“I want answers,” he told her quietly.

“I prefer not to guess, Mr. Bernard.”