"Then," he said, "surely some light will be thrown on this mysterious business."
"Let's hope so, sir," rejoined Luke dryly.
"Has Uncle Ryder told you anything fresh, father? Anything that we don't yet know?"
Colonel Harris did not reply, and Louisa knew that there was something that Uncle Ryder had said, something awful, which had caused her father to wear the troubled look which had terrified her the moment he came in.
Something awful!—which would affect Luke!
"Won't you tell us, father," she said, "what Uncle Ryder told you? Luke ought to know."
"Oh," rejoined Luke, "there's no hurry I'm sure. Colonel Harris will tell me presently. Lou, you were coming to the park this morning. I suppose we can't go to the Temple Garden Show very well."
"Not very well, I think," she replied, "but I'll come for a walk after lunch with pleasure. Father must tell us now what Uncle Ryder said."
Then as Colonel Harris still seemed to hesitate, she became more insistent, and her voice more firm.
"Father dear," she said, "I must know as well as Luke."