“Yes. It was I who filed through that chain in order to enter here and discover what had happened to the woman who had come into this place, and who had not gone out again.�
“I see. I see.�
“I made my way into the house by picking the lock of the door. I had my flash light with me. I made my way to this room by following the snow tracks on the rugs and carpets, for they had not melted. It was really colder in the house than outside of it.�
“And you found—this?â€�
“Yes. Just as you see it.�
“So you knew, right on the spot, that a man had come here with her. You couldn’t track him away from here, could you?�
“I have tracked him away from here, chief. I am almost ready to put my hands upon him; but I haven’t sufficient proof of it yet, and the important thing that I wish to impress upon you both, right now, is that not a word of what I have told you shall be uttered to any person for the present. Will you both agree to that?�
“Surely we will. But, have you told her father about it, Carter?�
“I have just said that not a word of it should be breathed to any person. That included Mr. Lynne, also.�
“Oh; I see. Well, he isn’t to know anything, either, until you get ready to tell it?�