"You ask me not to tell you," repeated the girl slowly.
"That demands an explanation," replied Billy Magee. "I want you to understand—to be certain that I would delight to help you if I could. But the fact is that before you came I gave my word to secure the package you speak of for—another woman. I can not break my promise to her."
"I see," she answered. Her tone was cool.
"I'm very sorry," Magee went on. "But as a matter of fact, I seem to be of very little service to any one. Just now I would give a great deal to have the information you were about to give me. But since I could not use it helping you, you will readily see that I must not listen. I'm sorry."
"I m sorry, too," replied the girl. "Thank you very much—for telling me. Now I must—go forward alone." She smiled unhappily.
"I'm afraid you must," answered Billy Magee.
On the stairs appeared the slim figure of the other girl. Her great eyes were wistful, her face was pale. She came toward them through the
