"I haven't got it all straightened out yet, myself,--but I shall. Another thing, Azalea is a poor speller, and she herself spells _very_ with two r's. She did in a dinner acceptance she wrote and referred to me for approval. So, when I saw that word misspelled twice in the letter we're talking of, I _knew_ she wrote it,--I mean, it corroborated my belief. Now, Patty, we've a peculiar case to deal with, and we must feel our way. This telephoning business is serious. Of course, Smith is _not_ those people's name! She told you a falsehood. We know she is capable of that! Now to find out what their name is. It isn't too late to call up Gale." Farnsworth took up the telephone and soon had Raymond Gale on the wire. He asked him frankly for the name of the two people who were calling on Azalea when he recognised them. "Miss Thorpe asked me not to tell," said Gale, "I'm sorry, old chap, but I promised her I wouldn't." "But it's an important matter, Ray, and a case in which I'm sure you're justified in breaking your promise--" "Can't do it! Can't break my word given to a lady." "But Azalea is a mere girl, and a headstrong, ignorant one, at that. She is in our care, and it is our duty to know with whom she associates. Who were those people?" "Seriously, Farnsworth, I can't tell you. Miss Thorpe asked me definitely not to do so, and I gave her my promise. You must see,--as man to man,--I _can't_ tell you." "I see your point, and I quite agree, in a general way. But, Gale, this is a--well, a crisis. I'm investigating a mystery and I must _know_ who those people are." "Ask Miss Thorpe." "I have, and she won't tell." "Then you surely can't expect me to! After I promised to keep her secret!" "Why should it be a secret?" "Ask her." "Well, tell me one thing; is the name Smith?" "It is not." "What sort of people are they?" "Oh, people of--why, hang it, man,--I don't know what to say to you! I refuse to betray Miss Thorpe's confidence, and so I don't know how much I ought to tell you." "Are they people I would receive in my home?" "Scarcely! If you mean, are they your social equals, they are not!" "Then, I ought to know about them, and forbid Azalea their acquaintance." "Oh, Miss Thorpe doesn't know them socially!" said Gale, and then he said a quick "good-bye" and hung up his receiver. CHAPTER X INQUIRIES The next day Farnsworth made an occasion to see Azalea alone. "Come for a stroll in the rose garden," he said to her as they left the breakfast table. "But aren't you in a hurry to go to town?" she objected. "No, I'm not. Come along, Zaly, I want to talk to you." Azalea looked embarrassed. She had on a trim linen street suit, and had an air of alertness as if about to start on a trip of some sort. "I was--I was just going for a walk," she said, hesitatingly. "All right, I'll walk with you. Let's make it a long hike." "Oh,--I'd love to, Cousin William,--really,--but I--I've a lot to do in my room, this morning."