But gossip told what he did not.
There were those who remembered the departure of Thornton Fairchild from Ohadi.

There were others who recollected perfectly that in the center of the rig was a singing, maudlin man, apparently "Sissie" Larsen.

And they asked questions.

They cornered Harry, they shot their queries at him one after another.

But Harry was adamant.
"I ain't got anything to sye! And there's an end to it!" Then, forcing his way past them, he crossed the street and went up the worn steps to the little office of Randolph P.Farrell, with his grinning smile and his horn-rimmed glasses, there to tell what he knew,--and to ask advice.