Anna Katharine Green

Lost Man's Lane Anna Katharine Green

Book Excerpt: L ..."Indeed, I think you have not fully taken in the case," he urged in quiet superiority. "The people there are of the higher order of country folk. Many of them are of extreme refinement. One family"--here his tone changed a trifle--"is poor enough and cultivated enough to interest even such a woman as yourself.""Indeed!" I ejaculated, with just a touch of my father's hauteur to hide the stir of curiosity his words naturally evoked."It is in some such home," he continued with an ease that should have warned me he had started on this pursuit with a quiet determination to win, "that the clue will be found to the mystery we are considering. Yes, you may well look startled, but that conclusion is the one thing I brought away with me from--X., let us say. I regard it as one of some moment. What do you think of it?""Well," I admitted, "it makes me feel like recalling that pish I uttered a few minutes ago. It would take a woman of uncommon characteristics to assist you in this mat..