It was, therefore, no easy task for him to assume readily an air of nonchalance, even in the presence of his aunt, who had schooled him in the art. So the moment he was alone his thoughts plunged again into the absorbing events of the night, and presently he found himself considering the policy of making his aunt a confidant. "Had I better tell her my suspicions?" he thought; "she will ask awkward questions. No, it will not do! Not yet!" He was aroused from his reverie by a low, deep whispered "Sst!" Looking up, he saw Smith peeping from behind the half open vestibule door. Smith dared not enter the room for fear of disturbing Mrs. Harris and exciting her curiosity. He saw her enter the library and then he signaled to Sam. Having caught his attention, he held up a warning finger and again repeated "Sst!" adding in a whisper, "Ave some impartant news to tell yees." It was well that Smith enjoined caution, for his eyes were expanded and aglow with excitement, and the muscles of his face, tense with serious import, twitched nervously. Sam's exclamation of concern died on his lips, and he at once stepped into the vestibule, alert with expectation. Softly closing the door, he said, "What is it, Smith? Speak low and be quick. Aunty is in there"--and he indicated with his thumb the library. "Sure, she's in good company, God presarve them. Will yees listen, plaise?" "Yes, hurry!" "Whill. I flim-flammed around the scow dwellin's an' shanties on the neck ave lant betwix Giles Lak an' the river--just beyant the Narth Pacific Mills, but divil a wan be the name ave Garge Golda cud I foind at all. Sure, I was nearly dishartened entirely, so I wus, whin who shud bump forninst me but me frint Kelly." "Well?" grunted Sam. "Kelly is a longshoreman, and he understands his business, too, so he do; but he says he's too big and fat to wurruk much, an' I belaive him, too, so I do." "Well, go on!" again grunted Sam, impatiently. "Sure, I showed him the Garibaldi you gave me this marnin. 'Where did yees foind that?' says he, careless like. "'I didn't foind it at all,' says I; 'my frint found it.' "'Where at?' says he. "'In the City Park,' says I. 'Some fellow lost it last night.' "'Sure?' says he, an' he looked at me hard. "'Sure!' says I. 'Phwat wud I be lyin' to yees fer?' "'An' phwat was the owner doin' out in the City Park last night?' says he. "'Divil a bit do I know,' says I. "'D'yees know him?' says he. "'Faith, an' I do not; d'yees?' says I. "'Indade I do,' says he. "'Yees do?' says I. "'I do,' says he, 'fer a black-browed, black-moustached, divil-skinned dago.' "'Where may be his risidence?' says I, not wan bit anxious, but with me best efforts to kape me heart from jumpin' up in me mout'. "'He lives in a scow cabin up beyant there, at Ross Island,' says he. "'He do, do he?' says I. "'He do!' says he. 'Sure, ave I not talked wit him over that same bit ave bronze but yisterday?'" "'Will yees show me the scow cabin?' says I.