"
"Then," said Miss Vale, "you really think they will do as Mr. Osborne
said?"
"I have no doubt of it--if the matter is not cleared up before the
time arrives for them to act."
The girl arose and went to a window as though to look out; the
investigator saw her hand pressed to her heart, and noted the
trembling that had seized her. Yet, when she faced him once more, a
moment or two later, she made a brave attempt to smile as before.
"I think this is too bad of you," she said. "Your point of view is
almost as pessimistic as the detectives', or the newspapers'. I had
expected comfort and encouragement."
"And I came to give it--if you'll allow me," said Ashton-Kirk,
quietly.
She looked at him for a moment, then both hands went out in a mock
despairing gesture, and she laughed. But the laugh was unmistakably
forced, and a keen ear for such things would have detected a pathetic
little catch in it.
"Now," she said, "you are becoming mysterious. However, I suppose I
must not complain, for it is entirely in character with your
profession, isn't it?"
He disregarded both the observation and the tone; there was a slight
pucker between his keen eyes that spoke of impatience and resentment.
"Mr. Osborne has been very plain with you, Miss Vale," said he, "you
have perhaps become accustomed to it in a measure.
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