"But how, Sergeant Hamlin? He will not tell me."
"Perhaps she will tell me if I can reach her alone," he said grimly, "or else that husband of hers--Dupont. He 'll know the whole story. It would give me pleasure to choke it out of him--real pleasure. Then there 's Connors, just the sort of sneaking rat if he can be caught with the goods; only it is not likely he knows much. I shall have to think it all out, Miss Molly," he smiled at her confidently. "You see, I am a bit slow figuring puzzles, but I generally get them in time. You 've told me all you know?"
"Everything. It almost seems silly when I try to explain what I feel to another."
"Not to me. I knew enough before to understand. But, perhaps, you had better go--hush, some one is entering the parlor."
She got to her feet in spite of his restraining hand, startled and unnerved.
"Oh, I must not be seen here. Is there no other way?"
"No; be still for a moment; step back there in the shadow, and let me go in alone."
He stepped forward, his grasp already on the curtain, when a woman's voice spoke within: "Yes, that was what I meant; he does not know you--yet. But you must keep away."