Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-08-20
CHAPTER XVI.
Covering Roads.

and half of third an unobtrusive spy
upon the collective activities Of the
Wahaskan social group which includ-
ed the Farnhams before he decided
that nothing could be gained by fur
ther delay.
Having his own private superstition
about Friday Broffin chose Wednes-
day afternoon for his call at the house
on the lake front 1t was resplen-
dent day Of the early summer, which,
in the Minnesota latitudes, springs,
Minervalike, full grown from the nod
ding head Of twhe wintery Jove of the
north. In the doctors front yard the
grass was vividly green, gladioli and
jonquils bordered the path with
bravery of color, and the buds Of the
clambering roses on the porch trellis
were swelling to burst their calyxes.
Broffin turned in from the sidewalk
and closed the gate noiselessly behind
him. While he had been three doors
away in the lake-fronting street, a
small pocket binocular had assured
him that the young woman he was
going to call upon was sitting in
porch rocker behind the clambering
rose, reading book.
She had risen to meet him by the
time he had mounted the steps, and
he knew that her first glance was ap-
praisive. He had confidently counted
upon being mistaken for n strange pa
tient in search of the doctor, and he
was not disappointed.
You are looking for Doctor Farm
ham?" she began. HE is at his Of
fice-2O1 Main street"
Broffin was digging in his pocket
for q card.
II know we'll enough where your
fathers office is, but you are the one
/ want to see," he said; and he
gave her the round cornered card with
it's blazonment of his name and en-
ployment.
He was watching her narrowly when
she read the name and it's underline,
and the quick indrawing Of the breath
and the little shudder that went with
it were not thrown away upon him.
But the other signs; the pressing of
the even teeth upon the lower lip and
the coming and going Of three straight
lines between the half-closed eyes
were not so favorable.
will you come into the house,
Mr." she had to look at the card
IL, 70 hn nonoa-"Mr Prpffin o'
she asked.
Thank you, miss; it's plenty good
enough out here for me if it is for
you," he returned beginning to fear
that the common civilities were Civ
ing her time to get behind her de-
fenses.
Il guess we can take it for granted
that you know what ! want, Miss
Farnham" he began abruptly, when
he had shifted his chair to face her
rocker. Something like three months
ago, or thereabouts, you went into a
bank in New Orleans to get a draft
caShed. While you were at the pay
ing teller's window a robbery was
committed, and you saw it done and
saw the man that did it. I've come
to get you to tell me the mans
name"
Il have told it once in a letter to
Mr.. Galbraith."
Broffin nodded. Yes: in a letter
that you didn't sign. I've come all
the way from New Orleans to get
you to tell me his real name, Miss
Farnham."
why do you think can tell you?"
was the undisturbed query.
"A lot of little things" said the de-
tective, who was slowly coming to his
own in the matter of self-assurance.
"In the first place, he spoke to you
in the bank, and you answered him.
Isn't that so?'
much, it is surprising that you don't
know it all, Mr.. Broffin,':. she COM
mented, with gentle sarcasm.
The one thing l don't know is the
thing you're goin' to tell me-his real
name" he insisted. That's what I've
come here for"
In spite of her inexperience, which,
in Mr.. Broffins field. was no less than
total, Charlotte Farnham had imag-
nation, and with it a womanly Zest for
the matching of wits with q man
whose chief occupation was the meas
uring of his own wits against the subtle
cleverness of criminals Therefore she
accepted the challenge.
Il did my whole duty at the time.
Mr.. Broffin," she demurred, with a
touch of coldness in her voice. "If
you We're careless enough to let him
escape you at st. Louis, you shouldn't
come to me. / might say very justly
that it was never any affair of mine
Matthew Broffin's gifts were subtle
only in his dealings with other men;
but he was shrewd enough to know
that his last and best chance with a
woman lay in an appeal to her fears
II didn't know what made you write
this letter, in the first place." he said,
taking the well-thumbed paper from
his coat pocket; but l know well
enough now why you didn't sign it,
and why you didn't put the mans real
name in it. You-and him-fiXed
it up between you so that you could
say to yourself afterwards what you've
just said to me-that you'd done your
duty. But you haven't finished doin'
your duty yet. The law says"
Il know very well that the law
says" was her battling rejoinder; Il
have taken the trouble to find out
since / came home. l am not hiding
your criminal"
Broffin was trying to gain little
ease by fitting his chair. But the house
wall was too close behind him.
People will say that you are helpin'
to hide him as long as you won't tell
his real name-what? he grated.
You still think l could tell you
that, if l chose?" she said. wilfully
misleading him, or at least allowing