d that
I feel as much confidence in you as I do in the people against whom I
know nothing. I can't. Perhaps I may some day when you have made
good, but it is a little too soon to expect it of me, as I am not an
idealist like some girls. So last night, though we did not have any
reason to suspect that the person who entered our room and then stole
out again without our ever really seeing him or her had anything to do
with you, I must confess I did think of you. Because, though it is
just as well not to talk about it, there is no question but that the
intruder was already living in this house. No one came in from the
outside. So you see it is like this: I don't begin to say that it was
you, but I am going to be on the watch and it is just as fair to warn
you openly as to suspect you in secret. Then there is another thing.
Personally I don't believe we had a ghostly visitant, as Betty is
inclined to think because of the mystery of that particular room. So
suppose we take it for granted that you had nothing to do with our
experience, then will you help Betty and me to find out who or what it
was? We do not want to create too much disturbance over it."

Just how many varying emotions had passed through Anthony Graham's mind
during Polly's amazing speech, it would be difficult to express. He
was bitterly angry of course, deeply wounded and resentful, and yet he
could not but have a certain respect for the girl's outspokenness, for
her kind of brutal courage. Certainly he was given notice not to
repeat his offense, if offense he had committed. And as proof of his
own innocence it might be as wise for him to discover the real offender.

Anthony kept a hold on himself by a fine effort of self-control. The
truth was that he and Polly O'Neill were not altogether unlike in
disposition, and he had a temper and a will to match with hers.
Notwithstanding, he appreciated that this was not the occasion for
revealing weakness.

Therefore he merely bowed with such quiet courtesy that Polly was
secretly astonished.

"You are unfair in suspecting me of having violated Mrs. Ashton's
confidence simply because I once tried to commit a theft. Though of
course I know that most people would feel just as you do. Does
Betty--does Miss Ashton----" he inquired.

Polly frowned. "No," she responded curtly.

"Then will you tell her, please, that you have confided what has
happened to me and that I will do my best to ferret out the