"Then you know what I've come
about?"
"I think so. Won't you sit down? I am afraid the room is rather cold.
Is it about--Sir Lucien Pyne?"
"Well," replied Kerry, "it concerns him certainly. I've been in
communication by telephone with Hinkes, Mr. Monte Irvin's butler, and
from him I learned that you were professionally attending Mrs. Irvin."
"I was not her regular medical adviser, but--"
Margaret hesitated, glancing rapidly at the Inspector, and then down
at the writing-table before which she was seated. She began to tap the
blotting-pad with an ivory paper-knife. Kerry was watching her
intently.
"Upon your evidence, Miss Halley," he said rapidly, "may depend the
life of the missing woman."
"Oh!" cried Margaret, "whatever can have happened to her? I rang up as
late as two o'clock this morning; after that I abandoned hope."
"There's something underlying the case that I don't understand, miss.
I look to you to put me wise."
She turned to him impulsively.
"I will tell you all I know, Inspector," she said. "I will be
perfectly frank with you."
"Good!" rapped Kerry. "Now--you have known Mrs. Monte Irvin for some
time?"
"For about two years."
"You didn't know her when she was on the stage?"
"No.
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