Page:Harold Macgrath--The girl in his house.djvu/162

 I have felt it all along. You would not have acted thus otherwise. Won't you please tell me?"

"I'd rather not."

"Then there is a mystery?"—quickly.

He twisted and pulled at the glove. Fool! He saw now that he had blundered hopelessly. Had he come to her frankly about the wall safe she would never have known, and now he must tell her, if only in self-defense.

"Yes, there is a mystery, but it really doesn't concern you. That is why I acted as I did. I said nothing because I did not want you to worry. I was waiting against the time when your father came back."

Her father!

"Does Betty know?"

"Yes."

"Tell me."

"Must I?"

"I shall know no rest until you do. This must be cleared up."

"Well, this is the story. My agent was a dishonest man. When I went away I left him with full powers of attorney. He took all my ready cash, converted the