The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-05-19
CHAPTER xv.
Confessional.

When the girl made no response, but
remained with troubled gaze focused
on some remote abstraction. you viii
have tea. won't you?" Lanyard urged.
She recalled her thoughts. nodded
with the faintest of smiles-eYe s,
thank you"-and dropped into chair.
He began at once to make talk in an
effort to dissipate the constraint that
stood between them like an unseen
alien presence: you must be very
hungry"
Il am" she assented.
Sorry I've nothing better to offer
you. I'd have run out for something
more substantial, only"
Only" she prompted, coolly help
ing herself to biscuit and ported ham.
Il didn't think it wise to leave you
alone"
WAS that before or after you'd made
up your .nind about tme--the latest
phase, mean?" she persisted with a
trace Of malice.
Before" he returned calmly-''like-
wise. afterward. Either way you care
to take II, IT wouldn't have been wise
to leave you here. Suppose you had
walked up to find me gone, yourself
alone in this strange house"
1--WE been awake several hours" she
interposed-"found myself locked in,
and heard no sound to indicate that
you were still here"
I'm sorry; was overtired and slept
like a log. But assuming the case:
you would have gone out alone, penni-
less"
Through a locked door, Mr.. Ian
yard?"
Il shouldn't have left 1t locked" he
explained patiently. You would have
found yourself friendless and without
resources in city to which you are a
stranger"
She nodded. True. But what of
that?"
an desperation you might have been
forced to return"
And report the outcome of my in
vestlgation!"
Pressure might have been brought
to bear upon you to induce admissions
damaging to me-" Lanyard submitted
pleasantly. Whether or no, you'd
have been Obliged to renew assoeia-
lions you're well rid of"
"You feel sure OF that?"
quite sure"
How can you be-" she challenged.
You've yet to know me twenty-four
hours"
But perhaps I know the associa-
tons better. In point OF fact, | do.
Even though you may have stopped to
play the spy last night, Miss Bannon-
you couldn't keep it up. You ran
away to escape further contamination
from that pack OF jackals. y
"Not-you feel sure-merely to keep
you under observation
Il do feel sure of that. have your
word for It."
The girl deliberately finished her
tea and sat back. regarding him stead
ily beneath level brows Then she
said with an odd laugh; "You have
your own way of putting one on
honor!"
Il don't need to-with you"
She analysed this with gathering
perplexity. What do you mean by
that?
Il mean I don't need to put you on
your honor--because I'm sure OF you.
But even IL were not, still I'd refrain
from exacting any pledge, or attempt
ing to- He paused and shrugged be-
fore continuing. "If thought you were
still to be distrusted. Miss Bannon, I'd
say: There's a free door; go when
you like, back to the Pack, turn in
your report, and let them act as they
see ut, DO you think care for them?
Do you imagine for one instant that
fear any one-or all-of that gang?'
THAT rings suspiciously of ego
ismln
Let II" he retorted. Its pride OF
caste. II you must know. hold my
self grade better than such cattle;
I've intelligence. at least. can take
care Of myself"
II he might read her countenance. il
expressed more than anything else dis
tress and disappointment.