“Now tell me all,” he demanded. “Tell me why you did it, how you did it, and why you kept your discovery a secret, even from the officers of the law. But first of all accept an apology for the one-time bad opinion of a boy who has been very much of a fool, and who has been saved by a miracle. You are the miracle, Polly—I mean, Miss Landin.”
“Hardly that,” said the girl, laughing. “And I am not sure how much I should tell you. You see, it wasn’t you that engaged me.”
“That’s the biggest part of the mystery. Don’t keep me in suspense. I haven’t seen my way for the last five months; let me see it clearly now.”
“I should say that your way is as clear as day. It lies straight to Mrs. Goode’s little private parlour, where somebody is waiting for you,” she said, with a knowing smile. “But I suppose I owe you an explanation. Your friends are clamouring for you at the door, so I will make it brief. Listen.
“Myrtle Vane loves you. You couldn’t see it, of course, being a man, and she, being a woman, couldn’t tell you. When you got into trouble there was only one person in whom she could confide, and that person was her brother Harry. She wrote him a letter—such a letter as raises the relation of brother and sister from the human to the divine. He called me to his office, as I had given him service before in other matters. He read me his sister’s letter and talked with me frankly. ‘I want you to go to Plainville,’ he said, ‘and find out all about this case. Learn the character of this young man who has gained such a hold on the affections of my sister. If he is guilty help to convict him; if he is innocent establish his innocence beyond the shadow of doubt or question. But above all, learn whether or not he is a man. See whether he can stand up under adversity—whether he can face the inevitable with clear eye and set chin. And when your investigation is complete report to my sister.’”
“Wonderful!” exclaimed Burton. “And you have reported?”
“Yes, by messenger, an hour ago. I couldn’t report until you came back, you know.”
“Why?”
“Why? Stupid! With all your masculine assurance, you will hardly claim that your conduct, up to an hour ago, had a very heroic ring. But your return—in the nick of time—your explanations, and the course of to-day’s events establish everything. I had to let you return thinking you were guilty, otherwise I should have been in doubt what to report. Now while many believed in you, only you and I and Gardiner in all this world knew you were innocent. You couldn’t prove it, Gardiner wouldn’t prove it, so the secret rested with me. And, in spite of my sex, I have learned that there is just one way to keep a secret. I kept it.”
“Even from Miss Vane?”