"I am almost afraid to tell Sara the news we have had from town this morning. She is so opposed to notoriety and all that sort of thing. Poor girl, she's had enough to drive one mad, I fear, with all that wretched business of a year ago."
Hetty stopped in her tracks. She went very white.
"What news, Mr. Wrandall?"
"They say they have stumbled upon a clew,—an absolutely indisputable clew. Smith had me on the wire this morning. He is the chief operative, you understand, Miss Castleton. He informs me that his original theory is quite fully substantiated by this recent discovery. If you remember, he gave it as his opinion a year ago that the woman was not—er—I may say, of the class catalogued as fast. He is coming out to-morrow to see me."
Things went suddenly black before her eyes, but in an instant she regained control of herself.
"They have had many clews, Mr. Wrandall," she complained, shaking her head.
"I know," he replied; "and this one may be as futile as the rest. Smith appears to be absolutely certain this time, however."
"I understood that Mrs. Wrandall—I mean Mrs. Challis Wrandall—refused to offer a reward," said Booth. "These big detective agencies are not keen about—"
"There is a ten thousand dollar reward still standing, Brandon," said Mr. Wrandall.
Again the girl started.