He stared at her blankly.
"I pass; I can't play to that!" he replied. "I honestly do not know, Miss Farmond."
Her eyes opened very wide.
"That's what I meant when I said I was puzzled. You must know—and yet!"
She broke off and looked at him doubtfully.
"Look here," said he, "some one's got to solve this mystery, and I'll risk a leading question. Why did you run away?"
"Because of what you have been doing!"
"Me been doing! And what have I been doing?"
"Suspecting me and setting a detective to watch me!"
Ned's one eye opened wide, but for a moment he said not a word. Then he remarked quietly:
"This is going to be a derned complicated business. Just you begin at the beginning, please, and let's see how things stand. Who told you I was setting a detective on to you?"
"I found out myself I was being watched."
"How and when?"
She hesitated, and the doubtful look returned to her eyes.
"Come, Louisa!" he said. "No nonsense this time! We've got to have this out—or my name's Dawkins!"
For the first time she smiled spontaneously, and the doubtful look almost vanished. Just a trace was left, but her voice, though still very low, was firmer now.
