I did not dream that my presence in this house would be
questioned."
"That depends," Phil retorted. "Why did you leave Prescott?"
Patches, still calm, answered gently. "My reasons for not staying in
Prescott are entirely personal, Phil; I do not care to explain just
now."
"Oh, you don't? Well, it seems to me, sir, that you have a devil of a
lot of personal business that you can't explain."
"I am afraid I have," returned Patches, with his old self-mocking smile.
"But, look here, Phil, you are disturbed and all wrought up about
something, or you wouldn't attack me like this. You don't really think
me a suspicious character, and you know you don't. You are not yourself,
old man, and I'll be hanged if I'll take anything you say as an insult,
until I know that you say it, deliberately, in cold blood. I'm sorry for
your trouble, Phil--damned sorry--I would give anything if I could help
you. Perhaps I may be able to prove that later, but just now I think the
kindest and wisest thing that I can do for us both is to say
good-night."
He turned at the last word, without waiting for Phil to speak, and went
back to his room.
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