"I am afraid I cannot oblige you," she said.
"You have heard from him lately?"
The girl hesitated a moment, and pushed back the fine brown hair from her brow.
"Not lately," she answered.
"You will be seeing him again shortly, no doubt?" pursued Manners, smiling amicably.
"I don't know," said the girl. "I am afraid," she said, "I cannot give you his address, and if that is all you wish to see me about——" She rose quite politely, but firmly. And as she did so some one lifted the knocker of the front door and smote it thrice.
Manners started visibly.
"You have visitors?" he asked quickly.
"I don't know who it can be," said the girl. "I am expecting no one."
Manners sprang up and stood between her and the door. He looked into her face as she came towards him, then moved politely away. He felt that her candid eyes held no secrets.