“Why not Montreal or Cape Town?”
“Well,” Dick said awkwardly, “after what has happened, I’d rather not live on British soil.”
“Then why not try Hamburg?”
Dick flushed.
“You might have spared me that, sir! I lost the plans; I didn’t sell them.”
“Very well. This interview is naturally painful to us both and we’ll cut it short, but I have something to say. It will not be forgotten that you were turned out of the army, and if you succeeded me, the ugly story would be whispered when you took any public post. I cannot have our name tainted and will therefore leave the house and part of my property to your cousin. Whether you inherit the rest or not will depend upon yourself. In the meantime, I am prepared to make you an allowance, on the understanding that you stay abroad until you are sent for.”
Dick faced his father, standing very straight, with knitted brows.
“Thank you, sir, but I will take nothing.”
“May I ask why?”
“If you’d looked at the thing differently and shown a little kindness, it would have cut me to the quick,” Dick said hoarsely. “I’m not a thief and a traitor, though I’ve been a fool, and it hurts to know what you think. I’m going away to-morrow and I’ll get on, somehow, without your help. I don’t know that I’ll come back if you do send for me.”