“Can I see you a moment, Mr. Tiernan?”
Johnny looked at her.
“Why sure,” he said. Leaning his shovel against the wall, he gallantly opened the door that she might pass in before him and then led the way to the back of the shop where the stove was glowing hospitably. He placed a chair for her. “Now what can I be doing to serve you?” he asked.
“It's about my sister,” said Janet.
“Miss Lise?”
“I thought you might know what man she's been going with lately,” said Janet.
Mr. Tiernan had often wondered how much Janet knew about her sister. In spite of a momentary embarrassment most unusual in him, the courage of her question made a strong appeal, and his quick sympathies suspected the tragedy behind her apparent calmness. He met her magnificently.
“Why,” he said, “I have seen Miss Lise with a fellow named Duval—Howard Duval—when he's been in town. He travels for a Boston shoe house, Humphrey and Gillmount.”
“I'm afraid Lise has gone away with him,” said Janet. “I thought you might be able to find out something about him, and—whether any one had seen them. She left home yesterday morning.”
For an instant Mr. Tiernan stood silent before her, his legs apart, his fingers running through his bristly hair.