“Tell me first,” he said, “you surprised my sister with that scoundrel, Candlish?”
North shuddered as he bowed his head.
“And I am right in thinking it was you who half killed him?”
“Yes,” said North; “it was I.”
“I don’t wonder at it,” said Salis quietly. “Now I’ll answer your question. Mary and I hoped we had broken all that affair off between my sister and Candlish; but last night I made a discovery, and we did quarrel.”
“And the weak, foolish girl flew to that narcotic poison to end her trouble,” said North thoughtfully. “Ah, well, you must watch her now. There is no danger. It is past.”
“Thanks to you!”
“Thanks to me? Perhaps so; but don’t send for me again unless it is a case of emergency. There, I must go now.”
He rose painfully, looking wild and haggard; but the next moment his whole appearance changed, and he gave his friend a tremendous back-handed blow in the chest.
“She’ll be all right, old chap, and ready to carry on her games again directly. She’s a lively one, parson; as sprightly a filly as was ever foaled. And you, too—you sham old saint; I can see through you, and Madame Crippleoria upstairs! I—”