"Yes, I knew," said I: "and for the simple reason that Dr. Foe told
it all to me. And Mr. Collingwood knows, for I told it to him.
We two have kept the secret."
"And," sneered Farrell, "you still keep being his friends!"
"No," I answered; "as a matter of fact, we do not. But you have
taken that tone again with me in spite of my warning, and I shall now
throw you downstairs. . . . You are an ill-used man, I believe,
though not by me: and for that reason, if you come back--say at ten
to-morrow morning--and apologise, you will find me sympathetic.
But just now I am going to throw you out."
"You may if you can," retorted Farrell, eyeing my advance warily.
"I've spoilt this marrying, I guess: and that's the first long chalk
crossed off a long tally."
I was about to grip with him when Jimmy called sharply that there
were to be no blows--Foe wanted to speak.
Foe had recovered under the brandy and lay over on his side, facing
us, panting a little from the dose--of which Jimmy had been liberal.
"Have it out, Roddy," he gasped, "here and now. I'm strong enough to
get it over, and--and he can't tell you any worse than you both know,
of my free telling--and I don't want to trouble either of you again.
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