“Oh, it’s impossible!” exclaimed Janet.
“Absolutely ridiculous!” affirmed the southpaw.
“Very likely it seems so to you both,” admitted the newspaper man, his calm and confident manner proclaiming his own settled conviction. “I listened to Lefty’s story, and I know he’s wise to only a small part of what’s been going on.”
“But Parlmee–Oh, it’s too preposterous! For once in your career, at least, you’re way off your trolley, Jack.”
“Prove it to me.”
“Why, it isn’t necessary. Franklin Parlmee is a white man, as square as there ever was, and as honest as the day is long.”
“There are short days in midwinter.”
“But his object–he couldn’t have an object, even if he were scoundrel enough to contemplate such a thing.”
“Couldn’t he?” asked Stillman, in that odd, enigmatical way of his. “Why not?”
“Why, he’s practically engaged to Virginia Collier.”