His air of having conquered gave an immediate impression of expected opposition and she was on her guard.
If Farnsworth had really told him the papers were in that old desk he would, she felt sure, have confided it to her, and not have announced it with an air of braggadocio.
“It isn’t a question of your integrity,” she replied, “but a matter of fact. The papers are not in this old desk.”
Colton strode forward and threw the desk open.
“Where are the secret drawers?” he asked, abruptly.
“Here,” and Patty showed him the small hidden springs that opened the concealed spaces so often found in old desks.
With meticulous care, Colton went all over the desk, measuring and calculating, in his endeavour to find the papers. But he at last turned a baffled face to Patty.
She looked pleasantly interested, but said simply, “You are mistaken, you see.”
“As to the desk, yes, but I must find the papers. Sorry, Miss Fairfield, but my duty must be done. I believe what I seek is in this room, and I must make search for it. With your permission—or without——”
“Oh, go ahead,” Patty laughed, for she deemed it wiser to make no objection, “search all you like. May I stay here, or would you rather be alone.”