"Not so fast, my pretty bird; I've something to tell you."
"And I don't wish to stop and listen to you."
"You would if you knew all I had to tell."
"Well, as I don't know all you've got to tell, and as I don't desire to listen to you, I'll bid you good-night."
"You always were down on me, Renie, but I'm a friend of your'n arter all, and I've collared the secret of your life, and I'd tell it to you, only you're so darn uppish when I go to speak to you."
The detective saw the girl advance toward the rough-looking man, and overheard her say:
"You know the secret of my life?"
"Yes."
"What secret is there of my life?"
"Tom Pearce is not your daddy, but I know how you came to be his adopted child."