"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.
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