"Have you been picking up interesting news?" he asked. "I believe I caught Winthrop's name."
It was spoken sharply, in the expectation, Thorne fancied, that his companion, taken off his guard, would blurt out some fresh information; but the lad turned toward Nevis with an air of cold resentment.
"I was talking to Mr. Thorne," he replied.
Nevis laughed, though Thorne noticed that he did not do it easily.
"Well," he said, "I'm sorry if I interrupted you."
Then he turned toward the others as if he had just noticed them.
"I didn't know that Symonds had placed the room at your disposal; I've no doubt that will excuse me."
Nobody invited him to remain, but he withdrew gracefully, and when he had gone Thorne led the lad out on to the veranda. It was unoccupied, but as it stood some little height above the ground he walked to the edge of it and looked over before he spoke.
"Now, Dave, I want you to tell me one or two things as clearly as you can."
The lad answered his questions, and in a minute or two Thorne nodded as if satisfied. Then he pointed to the room.