Page:Rowland--In the shadow.djvu/77

 bor's dog is a mongrel. Now make him tell you how he knows these things."

Leyden laughed; his gray eyes rested for a moment on Virginia's face, met her own, and the girl had a sensation of being photographed.

"It is not necessary to tell Miss Moultrie; her powers of observation are sufficient."

Virginia glanced up quickly, puzzled, interested, and as she looked, her ready faculties gathered the trend of his ideas. They were standing on the turf path which led to the stables; in front of them was a bare spot where the grass was worn away; the ground was moist as a shower had passed in the afternoon. Virginia connected what had been said, glanced down instinctively; her eyes brightened. She laughed softly to herself.

She turned to Leyden. "You know, because here is the print of a man's riding boot coming from the stables; it has come since the rain, and there is a little scratch behind the heels where the rowel of a spur has dragged." She laughed outright and turned to glance at the house. "And you know that Giles's rooms are on this side, because you know how fond he is of pets, and the pigeons are all fluttering around that corner window."

Sir Henry stared. "My word! My dear child"

"Thank you, Miss Moultrie," said Leyden, "you more than bear me out." His keen eyes rested on her. "If you will permit me to say so, your quickness of perception is extraordinary for a house dweller; you apply these things, the things you see; you apply them to the convenience of your daily life."

"Does not every one?" asked Virginia.

"Ach, no! Five senses are not enough to tell some 67