"What do you know about Mrs. Brainard? Who, where is,
Mr. Brainard?"
"Dead, I believe," Gladys hesitated. "Mrs. Brainard has been well
known in Washington circles for years. Indeed, I invited her with
us the night of the Manila display."
"And Mr. Nordheim?" broke in Burke.
"N-no," she hesitated. "He was there, but I don't know as whose
guest."
"Did he seem very friendly with. Mrs. Brainard?" pursued the
detective.
I thought I saw a shade of relief pass over her face as she
answered, "Yes." I could only interpret it that perhaps Nordheim
had been attentive to Gladys herself and that she had not welcomed
his attentions.
"I may as well tell you," she said, at length. "It is no secret in
our set, and I suppose you would find it out soon, anyhow. It is
said that he is engaged to Mrs. Brainard--that is all."
"Engaged?" repeated Burke. "Then that would account for his being
at the hotel here. At least, it would offer an excuse."
Gladys was not slow to note the stress that Burke laid on the last
word.
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