"Of course I do, John."
"Then promise."
Ann was sorely puzzled. Her lips twitched.
"Promise," he repeated, "and don't cry. It's nothing to cry about."
Still Ann hesitated. "Father would think it strange."
"How can he think it strange if he knows nothing about it?"
"I promise," she said solemnly.
"All right, then, my name is not John McNeil at all."
Ann stared at him a moment. Then with something like a gasp she said, "Your name is not John McNeil? What is it? Who are you?"
"Just this. I came here from—nobody knows just where, not even you, Ann. I named myself John McNeil because I wanted to lose myself."