“Yes, as long as Flicky has any money to spare—afterwards Van will be out. But I mean them.”
“Whom?” said Richard, starting. “Our Tolcarne friends—Russell Square, you know,” said Pratt, reddening slightly.
“No,” said Richard, hoarsely, “I did not know it.”
“Yes, they have been up a week.”
“How did you know it?”
“Well,” said Pratt, reddening a little more, “I—that is—well, there, I walked past the house, and saw them at the window.”
“You’ve watched it, then, Franky?” said Richard, quietly.
“Well, yes, if you like to call it so; and I’ve seen Van and Flick go there twice. How did they know that you had—well, come to grief?”
Richard shook his head.
“I’ll tell you. Depend upon it, that amiable spinster aunt, who loved you like poison, sent them word, and also of their return to town.”