“Why, the man who was looking for Bill Smith!”
“No! Really?” cried Jack. “Well, he’s Anna’s brother, anyhow—and the old man was her father!”
And he looked over to the corner of the porch where Anna sat silently looking on. Going over to her, Jack put his hand rather wistfully upon her shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Anna! You saw it couldn’t be helped. I never meant to tell on your father. Then, when they brought your brother up, he gave everything away himself. But the detective knew all about it, anyhow.”
Anna answered him quite calmly.
“I don’t blame you, Mr. Jack. It couldn’t be helped, as you say.”
“There’s one thing I don’t understand,” continued Jack. “Your name is Anna Benton. Those two men answered the name of Kelley. How is that?”
“Mr. Kelley was only my step-father,” replied Anna. “Tom was my half-brother.”
“Oh!” said Jack. “I see.”