'Suppose he has found it necessary to assume a character wholly fictitious—or, let us say, quite inconsistent with his life and opinions as known to us?'
This was a fruitful suggestion, long in Earwaker's mind, but not hitherto communicated. Christian did not at once grasp its significance.
'How could that be necessary? Peak is no swindler. You don't imply that he is engaged in some fraud?'
'Not in the ordinary sense, decidedly. But picture some girl or woman of conventional opinions and surroundings. What if he resolved to win such a wife, at the expense of disguising his true self?'
'But what an extraordinary idea!' cried Moxey. 'Why Peak is all but a woman-hater!'
The journalist uttered croaking laughter.
'Have I totally misunderstood him?' asked Christian, confused and abashed.
'I think it not impossible.'
'You amaze me!—But no, no; you are wrong, Earwaker. Wrong in your suggestion, I mean. Peak could never sink to that. He is too uncompromising'——
'Well, it will be explained some day, I suppose.'