“Dad, could your shortage have anything to do with all this?”
“Definitely it could, Kitty. The amazing things you have just told me may help me clear up a very embarrassing situation.”
Kitty recalled that he had said once that there were some things he couldn’t talk about even to his own daughter, but she now ventured to ask, “Can’t you tell me about it now, Dad?”
“I’m going to,” he retorted in a tone that implied his desperation. “But this is for you alone, Kitty. Not even Brad is to know.”
Her eyes widened. “But you think he is trustworthy, don’t you?”
“Of course—absolutely! Nevertheless this is to go no further.”
“Certainly. If that’s the way you want it.”
“As you have probably guessed Willard Dawson lost out here for the very shortage I am now facing.”
“But I’m sure he was not to blame either. Who could look at his fine face and believe him capable of—of anything dishonest? He simply couldn’t be a traitor any more than you, Dad!”
“Of course we feel certain of that. That’s why I asked to be sent here. I’ve been in hopes of clearing up the situation.”