`` Ca n't tell . '' `` Why do you want to know about Hill District ? Are you going there ? '' `` Wish I could ! I 'd soon have it out of him . '' `` Who ? '' `` Never mind . Please push up my table . I must write a letter , and I want you to post it for me to-night , and never say a word till I give you leave . '' `` Oh , now you are going to have secrets and be mysterious , and get into a mess , are you ? '' and Frank looked down at her with a suspicious air , though he was intensely curious to know what she was about . `` Go away till I 'm done . You will have to see the outside , but you ca n't know the inside till the answer comes ; '' and propping herself up , Jill wrote the following note , with some hesitation at the beginning and end , for she did not know the gentleman she was addressing , except by sight , and it was rather awkward : -- `` Robert Walker . `` Dear Sir , I want to ask if Jack Minot came to see you last Friday afternoon . He got into trouble being seen with Jerry Shannon . He paid him some money . Jack wo n't tell , and Mr. Acton talked to him about it before all the school . We feel bad , because we think Jack did not do wrong . I do n't know as you have anything to do with it , but I thought I 'd ask . Please answer quick .
Respectfully yours , `` Jane Pecq '' To make sure that her despatch was not tampered with , XXXXX put a great splash of red sealing-wax on it , which gave it a very official look , and much impressed Bob when he received it .
Acton Frank Jack Jill Minot Shannon Walker afternoon end secrets