"You don't know her name?"
"No; nor do I think any of my present people do."
"When was she here last?"
"About a month ago."
"Anywhere near the time of the girl's death?"
"Ay, just about that time, or maybe a week before."
"And you can give me no trace of her?"
"None whatever, except that I think I saw her take to the east, in the way to Arbroath. But I do not see how she can be of any use."
"I don't want you to see that she can be of any use," said the writer, laughing; "but I want you to hear whereabout she is."
"I will try what I can," said the farmer.