"I am," declared Lane, grimly.
"Good! But how—when? What's the sense in lettin' them carry on any longer?"
"I had to fight myself last night to keep from breaking in on them.... But I want to catch this fellow Swann with my sister. She wasn't there."
"Lane, don't wait for that," returned Pepper, nervously. "You might never catch him.... And if you did...."
His little plump well-cared-for hand shook as he extended it.
"I don't know what I'll do.... I don't know," said Lane, darkly, more to himself.
"Lane, this—this worry will knock you out."
"No matter. All I ask is to stand up—long enough—to do what I want to do."
"Go home and get some breakfast—and take care of yourself," replied Pepper, gruffly. "Damn me if I'm not sorry I gave Swann's secret away."
"Oh no, you're not," said Lane, quickly. "But I'd have found it out by this time."