What wouldn't I give to know her!"
I nodded, but said nothing. At Forty-Second Street we turned
east to Fifth Avenue, and a few minutes later were at the club. I
took Du Mont to a secluded corner of the grill, and there, with a
bottle of wine between us, I spoke.
"Billy," said I, "there's the deuce to pay. You're an old friend
of mine, and you possess a share of discretion, and you've got to
help me. Le Mire is gone. I must find her."
"Find Le Mire?" He stared at me in amazement. "What for?"
"Because my brother Harry is with her."
Then I explained in as few words as possible, and I ended, I
think, with something like this:
"You know, Billy, there are very few things in the world I
consider of any value. She can have the lad's money, and, if
necessary, my own into the bargain. But the name of Lamar must
remain clean; and I tell you there is more than a name in danger.
Whoever that woman touches she kills. And Harry is only a boy."
Billy helped me, as I knew he would; nor did he insist on
unnecessary details. I didn't need his assistance in the search,
for I felt that I could accomplish that as well alone.
But it was certainly known that Harry had been calling on Le Mire
at her hotel; conjectures were sure to be made, leading to the
assertions of busy tongues; and it was the part of my friend to
counteract and smother the inevitable gossip.
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