You hadn't tracked him here, for you have just said that
your finding him in this room took you fairly by surprise."
"Almost knocked me over," Farrell agreed.
"Then what had been your purpose in calling on me?" I asked,
"--if that, too, is a fair question."
"Well, I'll admit I was calling, in part, to get his address or
discover his whereabouts. But that wasn't my only reason. My real
reason and foremost--But before I tell it, Sir Roderick, will you
answer me yet another question? Was it true, what Mr. Collingwood
said?--that you were actually packing to search for me?"
"Mr. Collingwood," I answered, somewhat embarrassed, "certainly would
not have said it if it hadn't been true."
"Well, it fairly beat me," said Farrell, staring. "And it beats me
again, now you confirm it. Searching for _me_?--Why? You couldn't
have guessed there was money in it."
"It may sound strange to you, sir," said I pretty icily; "but I took
that fancy into my head neither for your _beaux yeux_ nor for profit.
Moreover, if you don't understand without my help, I'll be shot if I
can provide you with an explanation that won't strike you as wildly
foolish.
Pages:
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470