mportant matter, Ray, and a case in which I'm sure you're
justified in breaking your promise--"

"Can't do it! Can't break my word given to a lady."

"But Azalea is a mere girl, and a headstrong, ignorant one, at that. She
is in our care, and it is our duty to know with whom she associates. Who
were those people?"

"Seriously, Farnsworth, I can't tell you. Miss Thorpe asked me
definitely not to do so, and I gave her my promise. You must see,--as
man to man,--I _can't_ tell you."

"I see your point, and I quite agree, in a general way. But, Gale, this
is a--well, a crisis. I'm investigating a mystery and I must _know_ who
those people are."

"Ask Miss Thorpe."

"I have, and she won't tell."

"Then you surely can't expect me to! After I promised to keep her
secret!"

"Why should it be a secret?"

"Ask her."

"Well, tell me one thing; is the name Smith?"

"It is not."

"What sort of people are they?"

"Oh, people of--why, hang it, man,--I don't know what to say to you! I
refuse to betray Miss Thorpe's confidence, and so I don't know how much
I ought to tell you."

"Are they people I would receive in my home?"

"Scarcely! If you mean, are they your social equals, they are not!"

"Then, I ought to know about them, and forbid Azalea their
acquaintance."

"Oh, Miss Thorpe doesn't know them socially!" said Gale, and then he
said a quick "good-bye" and hung up his receiver.

CHAPTER X

INQUIRIES

The next day Farnsworth made an occasion to see Azalea alone.

"Come for a stroll in the rose garden," he said to her as they left the
breakfast table.

"But aren't you in a hurry to go to town?" she objected.

"No, I'm not. Come along, Zaly, I want to talk to you."

Azalea looked embarrassed. She had on a trim linen street suit, and had
an air of alertness as if about to start on a trip of some sort.

"I was--I was just going for a walk," she said, hesitatingly.

"All right, I'll walk with you. Let's make it a long hike."

"Oh,--I'd love to, Cousin William,--really,--but I--I've a lot to do in
my room, this morning."

"A lot to do! What do you mean? Does Patty make you take care of your
room?"

"Oh, not that sort of work. I've got to--to--write letters."

"To your father?" Bill's look was significant.

"Yes--no,--oh, a lot of letters."

"Look here, Azalea, you come out with me for a few minutes,--I won't
keep you long." Farnsworth took her arm, and led her gently down the
verandah st