CHAPTER NINEShort Cut
Macloud came up to specifications. He was benign to Rena before and during dinner; and afterwards, sitting opposite her and drinking his coffee, which Clara poured while Gamadge distributed little glasses of brandy, his saturnine face still looked unusually bland.
“We might as well clear away the non-controversial business first,” he said, getting his notebook out of his pocket.
“Mr. Macloud, I must tell you—” Rena choked on it a little. “I can’t help what Mr. Gamadge says, you ought to know. I have no money at all.”
“So I understand. You could get legal advice free, you know, Mrs. Austen,” Macloud informed her with tolerance. “It’s provided you. But as a friend of the Gamadges, I am delighted to advise you to the best of my ability.”
“I keep telling her,” said G
