"Because it stands at the head of the lane. Any one sitting at the window L can see whoever enters or leaves the lane at this end. And some one is always sitting there. The house contains two crippled children, a boy and a girl. One of them is always in that window."
"I see," said I. Then abruptly: "What do you think of Deacon Spear?"
"Oh, he's a well-meaning man, none too fine in his feelings. He does not mind the neighborhood; likes quiet, he says. I hope you will know him for yourself some day," the detective slyly added.
At this return to the forbidden subject, I held myself very much aloof.
"Your diagram is interesting," I remarked, "but it has not in the least changed my determination. It is you who will return to X., and that, very soon."
"Very soon?" he repeated. "Whoever goes there on this errand must go at once; to-night, if possible; if not, to-morrow at the latest."
"To-night! to-morrow!" I expostulated. "And you thought——"
"No matter what I thought," he sighed. "It seems I had no reason for my hopes." And folding up the map, he slowly rose. "The young man we have left there is doing more harm than good. That is why I say that some one of real ability must replace him immediately. The detective from New York must seem to have left the place."
I made him my most ladylike bow of dismissal.
"I shall watch the papers," I said. "I have no doubt that I shall soon be gratified by seeing in them some token of your success."