Penton Baxter looked me up and down, courageously, coolly, for a long time. Slowly I realised what I had just said.
"That's all I wanted to know, John Gregory! I've got it out of you at last!"
He turned on his heel.
Changing his mind, he faced me again. This time there was a despairful agony of kindness in his face.
"Dear boy, I'm sorry for all this thing that has come between us. But there is yet time for you to keep out of it. Hildreth and I are done with each other forever ... but you needn't be mixed up in this affair....
"Johnnie, let her stay in New York, and, no matter how much she wants you, don't go up there to join her."
"I love her. I adore her. I want to be where she is. Now the whole truth is out."
"My poor friend!"
"Don't call me your friend—you—"
He tightened his lips....