"
The girl turned her eyes on him and searched the handsome, serious
face.
"Fitz, you're not the man to say that of another man without some
good reason."
"I am not, Miss Polly."
"You think that Mr. Perkins is not the kind of man for me to have
anything to do with?"
"I--I'm afraid he isn't."
"Don't you think that, having gone so far, you ought to tell me
why?"
Carroll flushed.
"I would rather tell your father."
"Are you implying a scandal in connection with my timid, little
dried-up scientist?"
"I'm only saying," said the other doggedly, "that there's
something secret and underhanded about that place of his in the
mountains. It's a matter of common gossip."
The girl laughed outright.
"The poor beetle man! Why, he's so afraid of a woman that he goes
all to pieces if one speaks to him suddenly. Just to see his
expression, I'd like to tell him that he's being scandalized by
all Caracuna."
"You're going to see him again?"
"Certainly. This afternoon."
"I don't think you should, Miss Polly."
"Have you any actual facts against him? Anything but casual
gossip?"
"No; not yet.
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