"I have no fancy against it. As well there as anywhere else."
"Aye," said Haworth. "Not only as well, but better."
He led the way into his own room and struck a light. He flung his keys upon the table; they struck it with a heavy clang. Then he spoke his first words since they had turned from the gate-way.
"Aye," he said, "not only as well, but better. I'm at home here, if I'm out everywhere else. The place knows me and I know it. I'm best man here, by——! if I'm out everywhere else."
He sat down at the table and rested his chin upon his hand. His hand shook, and his forehead was clammy.
Murdoch threw himself into the chair opposite to him.
"Go on," he said. "Say what you have to say."
Haworth bent forward a little.
"You've got on better than I'd have thought, lad," he said,—"better than I'd have thought."