Ross nodded and the smile broadened into a boyish laugh.
"Yes! The young woman you employed me to find!"
"And you have found her?" She eyed him warily, puzzled by his manner.
Ross's face changed and he drew down his lips lugubriously at the corners, but the twinkle remained.
"She is a most elusive person!" he sighed.
"I don't need you to tell me that!" the old lady retorted bitterly. "And I cannot see any cause for levity! I would not have believed your Mr. McCormick capable of finding a lost canary, but I admit I expected more of you!"
"You have heard no news of the young woman for whom you are searching?" he asked.
A faint spot of color appeared in her faded cheeks and her keen, gray eyes snapped.
"Nothing that I consider authentic. Why do you ask that, Mr. Ross?"
"Because I was under the impression that her natural guardian had communicated with you." He spoke in bland surprise.