Miss Breen nodded. Her eyes were clouded with tears.
“But the name—how——” began Nash, puzzled.
“My name is Ethel Trask,” she replied. “Because I was—was in this business. I used the other—Miss Breen. I had meant to tell you before.”
“But your brother, Miss Breen—I mean, Miss Trask,” Nash questioned anxiously. “Was he an engineer on the New York Aqueduct?”
“Yes. He worked there—until his death.”
Nash caught his breath—but so light was the act that the girl did not appear to notice.
“Dead?” he asked. “Walter Trask—dead?”
Miss Trask nodded. Nash stood looking down at her, preparing himself for the final question:
“How did he meet his death?”
“He was killed in a brawl.” Miss Trask spoke slowly, painfully, as if the recollection was a bitter one. “One of the other engineers—shot him.”