"Oh, there's nothing low about me, sir. I had a yarn with that young lady who is as sweet as a daisy, and she told me enough to make me take root in this place. Such a time I had with the old hermit who owns the shanty. I had to give references and pay rent in advance, and do all kinds of things to fix up matters. But yesterday I moved in, and wrote you straight away. And here I stay till I learn the truth. And a mighty long time that'll be, anyhow."
Arnold, who was sitting in the chair with his face turned to the light, stared. "I don't quite understand!"
"No! Ah, that's the fault of you English. You want a heap of explanations, like that Old Methuselah who let me the ranch. It's this way. I'm engaged to Gerty B., and she's a friend of Miss Mason. Now I've cottoned to Miss Mason, and I've sized you up as a decent sort of old horse, so I'm going to see if I can pull you out of this mess. Yes, sir. Luther Tracey don't go back on a friend. I guess I stop here till the husband comes home from Australia and drops in here to see his loving wife. And he don't leave that front door until I get the truth out of him. I'm a clean shot, too," added Mr. Tracey, musingly. "There ain't no flies on me. No!"
Arnold was puzzled. "What do you know about me, that you talk so?"
"All that Miss Mason could tell me. She landed round to see Gerty B. in a devil of a state. That stuck-up sister had been lathering into her, I guess. She wouldn't tell Gerty B., and just howled. So I came along and sent Gerty B. to look after old momma Baldwin--to keep her on the tiles. Yes, sir. Then I sat down and extracted the truth out of Miss Mason."
"What?" the blood rushed violently to Mr. Calvert's face. "Did Laura tell you----"
"Everything. You bet she did, and I wiped her pretty eyes with my silk handkerchief. There ain't no call to fire up. I'm engaged to Gerty B., and I don't loot another man's shanty. No, sir. I'm square and straight. Miss Mason told me everything about your going to the villa, and the dagger and all that poppy-cock. I told her to go slow and lie down, and then lighted out for this rookery. Now I've got you here I want you to tell me everything I don't know."
Arnold, reserved like all Englishmen, was annoyed that this inquisitive Yankee should interfere in his affairs. But the face of the man was so genial, and displayed such interest, that he could not help laughing. "It's very kind of you, Tracey," he admitted, "and there is no one whose help I would like better. But I have already engaged a detective to look after the matter."
"Right enough," responded Luther, lighting another cigarette. "But I work for the love of Gerty B., who's death on seeing you and Miss Mason hitched in double harness. I'll do better than your 'tec, I guess. Now come along and put your soul into the matter."
"But I've got nothing more to say, man. Miss Mason has apparently told you everything."