"Really, gentlemen," he drawled, puffing languidly on a cigarette
and turning slowly toward the window to watch the passing throng
under the lights of the avenue, "really I don't see how I can be
of any assistance. You see, except for a mere passing acquaintance
Miss Gilbert and I had drifted entirely apart - entirely apart
- owing to circumstances over which I, at least, had no control."
"I thought perhaps you might have heard from her or about her,
through some mutual friend," remarked Kennedy, carefully concealing
under his nonchalance what I knew was working in his mind - a belief
that, after all, the old attachment had not been so dead as the
Gilberts had fancied.
"No, not a breath, either before this sad occurrence or, of course,
after. Believe me, if I could add one fact that would simplify the
search for Georgette - ah, Miss Gilbert - ah - I would do so in a
moment," replied Lawton quickly, as if desirous of getting rid of
us as soon as possible. Then perhaps as if regretting the
brusqueness with which he had tried to end the interview, he added,
"Don't misunderstand me. The moment you have discovered anything
that points to her whereabouts, let me know immediately. You can
count on me - provided you don't get me into the papers.
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