e private here," he explained, briefly. "What did you
ask?"

"I asked if you knew where Miss Morley had gone and where she was at the
present time?"

He hesitated, pulling at his mustache, and frowning. "I don't see why
you should ask me that?" he said, after a moment.

"But I do ask it. Do you know where she is?"

Another pause. "Well, if I did," he said, stiffly, "I see no reason
why I should tell you. To be perfectly frank, and as I have said to you
before, I don't consider myself bound to tell you anything concerning
her."

His manner was most offensive. Again, as at the time I came to him at
that very hotel on a similar errand, after my arrival in Paris, I found
it hard to keep my temper.

"Don't misunderstand me," I said, as calmly as I could. "I am not
pretending now to have a claim upon Miss Morley. I am not asking you to
tell me just where she is, if you don't wish to tell. And it is not for
my sake--that is, not primarily for that--that I am anxious about her.
It is for hers. I wish you might tell me this: Is she safe? Is she among
friends? Is she--is she quite safe and in a respectable place and likely
to be happy? Will you tell me that?"

He hesitated again. "She is quite safe," he said, after a moment. "And
she is among friends, or I suppose they are friends. As to her being
happy--well, you ought to know that better than I, it seems to me."

I was puzzled. "_I_ ought to know?" I repeated. "I ought to know whether
she is happy or not? I don't understand."

He looked at me intently. "Don't you?" he asked. "You are certain you
don't? Humph! Well, if I were in your place I would jolly well find out;
you may be sure of that."

"What are you driving at, Bayliss? I tell you I don't know what you
mean."

He did not answer. He was frowning and kicking the corner of a rug with
his foot.

"I don't understand what you mean," I repeated. "You are saying too much
or too little for my comprehension."

"I've said too much," he muttered. "At all events, I have said all
I shall say. Was there any other subject you wished to see me about,
Knowles? If not I must be going. I'm rather busy this evening."

"There was no subject but that one. And you will tell me nothing more
concerning Miss Morley?"

"No."

"Good night," I said, and turned away. Then I turned back.

"Bayliss," said I, "I think perhaps I had better say this: I have only
the kindest feelings toward you. You may have misunderstood my attitude