"To get square about that murder."
Rupert drew back, "Do you know?----"
"Oh I know nothing for certain, or I shouldn't take you into partnership, but I believe I can spot the person."
"Surely you don't think Miss Pewsey----"
"Oh no. She wouldn't harm anyone, unless she was on the right side. She's a cat, but is clever enough to keep herself from being lynched. 'Sides, she was comfortable enough with old Wharf, and wouldn't have sent her to camp out in the New Jerusalem, by strangling. But Aunty's going to hitch up long-side old Forge----"
"And he?" asked Rupert secretly excited, but looking calm enough.
"Go slow. I don't know anything for certain, but I guess Forge had a finger in the pie. He wanted the fan you know."
"Nonsense! He had the fan for two years and made no use of it."
"I reckon not. He didn't know its secret--and the secret's worth money I judge."
"Do you know the secret?"