Page:Bailey - Call Mr Fortune (Dutton, 1921).djvu/175

164 "They are always together," Miss Lomas admitted.

"And who is the magnificent creature?"

"Hilda Crowland? Why, she's been with me for years."

"And she's the bosom friend of this girl, who's only been here a couple of months!"

"Now you mention it, that is odd, Mr. Fortune."

"Oh, Lord, everything's odd!" Reggie said irritably. "Who is Hilda Crowland?"

"Well, her mother is a widow and very well off, I believe. She lives in Cornwall. Hilda came to me through Lady de Burgh. Of course you understand, Mr. Fortune, that that implies irreproachable family connections."

"I dare say. I dare say. Well, Miss Lomas, it's a queer case. I will take it up and go into it further. Something is being planned rather elaborately in which your school, probably a girl in your school, is concerned. It may be a matter outside your responsibilities. It may be something unpleasant."

"Good gracious, Mr. Fortune, what do you suggest?" Miss Lomas was rather excited than alarmed.

"I don't suggest anything. I have no information. The trouble is, Miss Lomas, you know nothing about your girls."

"Really, Mr. Fortune! As I have told you, I insist upon"