I fear I am obliged to dispense with your faith in my
integrity on the conditions you mention. Your resolution to leave
me--that is final?"
"Entirely so."
"I am sorry," said the Baron simply. And, meeting his chief's eyes,
Philip felt somewhat ashamed of one or two of his highly colored
suspicions and reddened uncomfortably.
"It is at least--comforting," observed the Baron quietly, "to feel that
whatever I may have said in confidence to you will be honorably
forgotten."
"Excellency," said Philip with spirit, "though I may not speak to Miss
Westfall of your interest or my suspicions, for reasons which need no
naming among gentlemen, it is but fair to warn you that henceforth I
shall regard myself as personally responsible for her safety."
"Gallantly spoken!" declared the older man, and watched his secretary,
as he bowed and withdrew, with more regret than he had seen fit to
express. Then, lying back in his chair he listened with unsmiling
attention as Philip entered the billiard room with a laughing shot of
abuse for Dick Sherrill which aroused an immediate uproar of welcome.
Watching the Baron's narrowed eyes, one might have wondered greatly.
For Baron Tregar looked very tired and grim. At length, having smoked
his cigar quite to the end, he went up to his room and summoned Themar.
Pages:
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123