“Oh, about half-past four or five—no, it was later——”
“There!” triumphantly. “It is not easy to state the time, when you paid no special attention to the occurrence.”
“You’ve proved your point, Miss Adams!” Belknap exclaimed, looking at her with new interest. “I wish you had noted the time—you would have done so accurately.”
“Yes, I should have. But I didn’t. Now, when I tell you that’s all I know about the whole matter, will you go away and leave me in peace?”
“No; Miss Adams, I won’t!”
“Why not?” and to Belknap’s satisfaction she turned a shade paler.
“Because, I am sure you do know more. You are too cute to be so ignorant. Your smartness has overreached itself. You’re trying to disarm me by the appearance of absolute frankness, and you almost did so—but—I’ve—well, I’ve got a hunch that you know something else.”
“I swear I don’t,” and Miss Adams set her thin lips in a tight, straight line. “You go away.”
“I’m going, I’ve much to do. But I warn you I shall return. You know something, Miss Adams, something of importance, but I do not think you are yourself implicated. Moreover, what you know frightens you a little, and you don’t want to tell it. Now, if I can get all the information I want, without yours, well and good. If not, I shall come back for yours. And don’t try running away—for you won’t get far!”
“Are—are you going to have me watched!” she gasped.