"I want you to understand that I'm not doing this because I like it. I know the gravity of what I'm going to say; but I'm not a word-of-mouth friend, but a real one—where a man will let me be. So I say to you that unwise things are being done—not by Sarah Jane—not for a moment—but by Hilary Woodrow."
"I must ask you to name them."
Weekes did not answer immediately. Then he went to the heart of the matter, so far as he knew it.
"They walk together. They meet—accident on her part, no doubt; but not on his. Yet could he meet her if he hadn't fixed to do it? 'Tisn't wrong, of course; but 'tisn't wise."
"You've been watching Sarah Jane?"
"Not I. What is it to me? They've been seen together in lonely places, that's all—no harm, of course—still——"
The other blazed out and his voice rose.
"You're a dirty-minded man to say these things to me, and 'tis far off from friendship that makes you say them! Quick to think evil—and wish evil. To cloud the fair name of a man's wife—because she's a fool——"
"Don't be a fool yourself! I'm clouding nobody and nothing. I'm only telling you that——"
"Tell me no more!" roared Daniel.