Coles looked down upon him with calculated craft.
“Don’t be under any misapprehension,” said he. “I have explained to the Head exactly how things are—and you—are going too.”
Bobbie gaped.
“What? Explained to him? What have you explained?”
“That I know your family, and that you are rather specially entrusted to my care. I have told him how anxious I am to have you under my wing, and so—he has at last consented to you coming too.”
After a minute’s utter silence he spoke again.
“You don’t seem overjoyed?”
Still Bobbie did not answer.
He was wondering how he would get on without Henry Hope at his side, and what Henry would say about him going without a word of protest.
“Anyway,” said the persecutor, “don’t forget our bargain. If there should be any talk of you staying behind, if they should ask you, you’ll know what to say, won’t you?” He waited a moment, looking at Bobbie straightly. “Won’t you?”