"Dick," he said, "you and I are bound by long friendship--"
"Which you have killed," said Cludde, interrupting him.
"But you will not forget all the past--our school days, the merry times we had then and after, all I have done with you, and for you. For a dozen years we were as close as brothers; you won't turn against me now?"
"I know, but--Lucy--'twas unpardonable," Cludde stammered in great discomfort. "I'm not spotless--done things I am ashamed of--but you carried things too far--you wanted to force her to marry you--"
"And do you think she will marry you now, you fool?" cried Vetch, with a flash of his old fiery temper.
"I could wish her to wed a better man," says poor Cludde.
"Even so good as Mr. Humphrey Bold," says Vetch with a sneer.
Cludde looked at me. If he intended to say anything 'twas prevented by the entrance of Joe Punchard with news that all was ready.
"Bring him along," I said, glancing towards Vetch.
Joe unstrapped his legs, leaving his arms still bound, and they followed us from the room.