"That I think you are absurd."

"I?" He started. "How? Why? I don't understand. What have I done now?"

"Nothing. That's just it."

"I don't understand."

"No? Um-m-m, of course it is your secret. I am not trying to force a
confidence. You have your own reasons for not wishing your uncle and
aunt to know. But I never believed that Garrison threw the Carter
Handicap. Never, never, never. I--I thought you could trust me. That is
all."

"I don't understand a word--not a syllable," said Garrison restlessly.
"What is it all about?"

The girl laughed, shrugging her shoulders. "Oh, nothing at all. The
return of a prodigal. Only I have a good memory for faces. You have
changed, but not very much. I only had to see you ride to be certain.
But I suspected from the start. You see, I admit frankly that you once
were my hero. There is only one Billy Garrison."

"I don't see the moral to the parable." He shook his head hopelessly.

"No?" She flushed and bit her lip. "William C. Dagget, you're Billy
Garrison, and you know it!" she said sharply, turning and facing him.
"Don't try to deny it. You are, are, are! I know it. You took that name
because you didn't wish your relatives to know who you were. Why don't