"I said your mother was."
"Where is my father, then?"
"On the Continent—we think."
"You think? And the—ten thousand pounds?"
"He has it with him," said Lowndes, in a low voice. "I'm sorry to say he—bolted with the lot!"
CHAPTER III.
THE SIN OF THE FATHER.
"It's a lie!"
The word flew through Harry's teeth as in another century his sword might have flown from its sheath; and so blind was he with rage and horror that he scarcely appreciated its effect on Gordon Lowndes. Never was gross insult more mildly taken. The elder man did certainly change colour for an instant; in another he had turned away with a shrug, and in yet another he was round again with a sad half-smile. Harry glared at him in a growing terror. He saw that he was forgiven; a blow had disconcerted him less.
"I expected you to jump down my throat," observed Lowndes, with a certain twitching of the sharp nose which came and went with the intermittent twinkle in his eyes.