Page:The Breath of Scandal (1922).djvu/283

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE BREATH OF SCANDAL
273

night I saw her, about a week before she went, that she was going, and no one would have her address but Rinderfeld." And Gregg related some of the circumstances, but recognized that Bill, for a few moments, actually considered him crazy; or else Marjorie must have become touched with madness, her troubles must have turned her mind. It took several minutes for Bill even to begin to comprehend, and then all that he seized was the fact that Marjorie deliberately and premeditatedly had planned to sever all connection with her family and friends except through Rinderfeld. Furiously, then, Bill accused Gregg for keeping this from him.

"How you could live in this flat with me! How you could see me every day, night and morning, Gregg! How you could sit down and talk over with me what might have happened to her; how you could have watched me walk the streets, looking for her, hoping for her, praying for her; and you knew that all along and did not tell me! How——" Billy assailed him between attempts to get Rinderfeld on the telephone; for Rinderfeld's home number was reported busy and his office did not answer.

Most of it Gregg took in silence, though now and then a remark from Bill goaded out something like, "Bill, I've walked the streets hoping for her, too."

Rinderfeld's home number answered; Mr. Rinderfeld was not in; but the girl would communicate with him at once. Billy requested and then demanded to know where he was; but Rinderfeld had no simpleton taking his calls. The girl took Mr. Whittaker's number and she presumed Mr. Rinderfeld would call Mr. Whittaker.

Rinderfeld did so in less than five minutes; and before the end of one more, Rinderfield hung up. Billy