Some source of strength, deep-hidden in her gentle nature, enabled
Auntie Sue to control her emotions, though her voice broke a little as
she slowly repeated the man's name, "Brian Kent. And do I understand,
sir, that you have traced the man to this--neighborhood?"

The detective was too skilled not to notice Auntie Sue's manner and the
break in her voice; but he never dreamed that this old gentlewoman's
agitation was caused by a deeper interest than a quite natural fear that
a dangerous criminal might be lurking in the immediate vicinity.

"Not exactly, Mrs.--ah--"

"Miss Wakefield,"--she supplied her name with a smile.

With a courteous bow, the detective continued: "We do not know for sure
that the man is in this neighborhood, Miss Wakefield. There is really no
cause for you to be alarmed. Even if he should call at your house, here,
you need not be frightened, for I assure you the man is not at all a
dangerous character."

"I am glad," said Auntie Sue; and she laughed a little with a relief
more genuine than her callers knew.

Detective Ross continued as if anxious to finish his unpleasant duty:
"It is too bad for us to be disturbing you with this business, Miss
Wakefield, and I hope you will forgive us; but, the case is like this:
We traced our man to the little town of Borden, some forty miles up the
river from here. He disappeared from the hotel one night, leaving his
suit-case and, apparently, everything he had with him, and not a
soul that we can find has seen him since. Of course, everybody says