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 "You went to the house?" she exclaimed.

"Why not?" He shrugged his shoulders. "What else could I do? You were leaving New York and I had to find out where you were going."

There was a moment's silence. Prue studied the stove frowningly. Then,

"May I inquire, Mr. Forbes, what part of the world you come from?"

"Colorado. Why?"

"Why? Well, it explains your—your absurd conduct in a measure, don't you think?" she replied amusedly.

"Don't see it," he answered. "I'd have done the same thing if I'd lived in—in New Jersey!"

"I'm afraid you're a little bit stupid, Mr. Forbes. I was generously providing you with an excuse."

"I don't want any. If I had seen you, as I did, at the opera the other night and hadn't wanted to know you I might have been grateful for your excuse. Miss Burnett."