I gave her a
moment or two to put the question which never came, and then changed
the subject.
"And have you discovered anything?" I asked.
"Not discovered--only guessed," she answered with a smile in her eyes,
half defiant, half mischievous.
"And what have you guessed?"
"Oh, I won't trouble you with more guesses. I must find something out
first--something really convincing, like that note book."
I was a little piqued, but I merely laughed and said,
"Well, we'll see!"
By this time we were quite near the house.
"Won't you come in and have lunch with us?" she asked.
The temptation was strong, but the scent seemed too warm to lose, and I
said I must be back for lunch at home. We stopped, and as she looked at
me I noticed in her eyes what first seemed to be doubt and anxiety and a
moment later to become resolution.
"Mr. Merton," she said; her voice rather low, "which ever of us is right,
I think we must be getting near rather a critical point. Don't you think
you had better send off that wire to Captain Whiteclett?"
I shook my head.
"Not quite yet," I said. "You see it's a serious matter dragging my
cousin out here unless one is quite certain he will be needed."
"But then he may not be in time!"
"I must risk that. But you may rest assured I'll wire the very instant I
know it won't be bringing him out on a wild goose chase.
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