"What for?"
"Ask him about her jewels."
"Oh, no, I think that would be horrid. You go, if you like. I shan't."
But Iris went out on the verandah with Bannard, and they ran into Sam Torrey, the brother of Agnes.
"Hello, Sam," said Bannard. "What's that you were saying about seeing a man around here Sunday morning."
"Not morning, but noon," declared Sam, gazing with lack-luster eyes at his questioner.
"Brace up, now, Sam, tell me all you know," and Bannard looked the boy squarely in the eye.
Sam, about seventeen, or so, was of undeveloped intellect, called by the neighbors half-witted. But if pinned down to a subject and his attention kept on it, he could talk pretty nearly rationally.
"Know lots. Saw man here—there—near edge of woods—nice little car, oh, awful nice little car——"
"Yes, go on, what did he do?"