“I did,” he said. “We had quite a dramatic meeting, too—it was like a scene from a film!”
And, with a little good-humoured exaggeration, he gave Mr. Jeekes a description of his encounter with Mary. And lest it should seem that young Wright was allowing Mr. Jeekes to pump him, it should be stated that Bruce was well aware of one of the secretary’s most notable characteristics, a common failing, be it remarked, of the small-minded, and that was an overpowering suspicion of anything resembling a leading question. In order, therefore, to gain his confidence, he willingly satisfied the other’s curiosity regarding his visit to Harkings hoping thereby to extract some information as to the whereabouts of the letter on the slatey-blue paper.
“There was no letter of this description on the desk, you say, when you and Miss Trevert looked?” asked Jeekes when Bruce had finished his story.
“Nothing but circulars and bills,” Bruce replied.
Mr. Jeekes leaned forward and drank off his coffee with a swift movement. Then he said carelessly:
“From what you tell me, Miss Trevert would have been perhaps a minute alone in the room without your seeing her?”
Bruce agreed with a nod.
Adjusting his pince-nez on his nose the secretary rose to his feet.
“Very glad to have seen you again, Wright,” he said, thrusting out a limp hand; “must run off now—mass of work to get through ...”
Then Bruce risked his leading question.