This is too good to keep." "My dear sir," said Brenton, "you seem to be more elated because of your friend Stratton than for any other reason.

Don't you want the matter ferreted out at all ?" "Why, certainly I do; but I don't want it ferreted out by bringing an innocent person into trouble." "And may not Stephen Roland be an innocent person ?" "Oh, I suppose so; but I do not think he is." "Why do you not think so ?" "Well, if you want the real reason, simply because George Stratton thinks he isn't.

I pin my faith to Stratton." "I think you overrate your friend Stratton." "Overrate him, sir?
That is impossible.

I love him so well that I hope he will solve this mystery himself, unaided and alone, and that in going back to Chicago he will be smashed to pieces in a railway accident, so that we can have him here to congratulate him.".