The answer was so low and so muffled that the colonel was glad he could not hear it.
“Confound it all!” he murmured, “that's the worst of this business! I don't mind anything but the love-making. I hate to break in on that!”
There was an eloquent silence, and then LeGrand Blossom said:
“I am very happy, Minnie.”
“And so am I. Now what shall we do?”
“Get married as soon as possible, of course. I've got to wind up matters here, and as soon as I can I may take up an offer that came from Boston. It's a very good one. Would you go there with me?”
“Yes, LeGrand. I'd go anywhere with you—you know that.”
“I'm glad I do, my dear. It may be necessary to go very soon, and—well, we won't stop to say good-bye, either.”
“Why! what do you mean,” and the hidden detective knew that the girl had drawn away from the young man.
“Oh, I mean that we won't bother about the fuss of a farewell-party. I'm not tied to the Carwell business. In fact I'd be glad to chuck it. There's nothing in it any more, since there's no chance for a partnership. We'll just go off by ourselves and be happy—won't we, Minnie?”