“Pardon me, Mr. Morrice, but if you are agreeable, I should be pleased to act for you in this matter. I have had unfortunately such a long experience in this kind of case that I am rather successful at bringing an obstinate person to confession. I assume that you are making some provision for Mrs. Morrice’s future?”
“Yes, through my solicitors.”
“But, of course, nothing as yet has been absolutely fixed in that direction.”
Morrice nodded assent. “That gives me a very powerful weapon, then,” said Lane. “Are you disposed to entrust the matter to me? It is not as if I were unacquainted with these painful details.”
Yes, the financier thought he was. He was beginning to have a little less confidence in himself, and to think that the acute and diplomatic Lane might achieve better and speedier results.
“Yes, take it in hand, please. But you have got to find her first.”
Lane smiled. “I don’t think I shall find much difficulty in that. In fact I fancy I could put my hands on her now.”
“She would naturally go to some small hotel, till she had arranged her future plans, not, of course, to any big one where she would be likely to come across people she knew,” suggested Rosabelle.
“I think not, Miss Sheldon,” answered the wise Lane. “In this crushing hour of her misfortunes, instinct will lead her to the friend of her youth, whose connection with her up to now has, without doubt, been a very close one. For a time, till she has got used to the situation, she will avoid even the smallest publicity.”
“You mean the woman, Alma Buckley,” cried Morrice, appreciating this capable man’s acumen.