“That did me good, rather; to get to the club and see some of the old fellows again,” Storm declared mendaciously. “What are you silent about, old man?”
“Nothing; I’ve been thinking,” George responded. “All your fishing gear is down at Greenlea, isn’t it? Can you write to MacWhirter and get it here by Monday?”
Storm gave a furtive sidelong glance at him, but George was plodding along with an inscrutable countenance.
“I can run down overnight and pick out what I need,” Storm asserted shortly. “We can make out a list to-night. Suppose we stop at the Blenheim Grill here for a bite and then go on up to my rooms?”
George accepted without comment, and they were soon ensconced at a table as far as possible from the blatant orchestra, in a corner half screened by palms. As Storm studied the menu he glanced up to find his companion’s eyes fixed upon him in troubled, questioning scrutiny, and he flung the card aside.
“What is it?” he demanded savagely. As well to have it over here and now! He could endure the suspense no longer. “There’s been something wrong with you ever since we left the club. For heaven’s sake get it off your chest!”
“Well,” George responded slowly. “I couldn’t help hearing what Griffiths said as I came in, and to tell you the truth, old man, I am rather hurt at your lack of confidence in me.”
Storm unconsciously braced himself. It was coming!
“You mean about the Du Chainat affair?” he blustered. “That meddlesome old fool knows nothing about my business! I call it infernal cheek, his attempting to say the man ever victimized me! There’s not a word of truth in it.”
“I read of the swindle in the newspapers, and I remember that I was the one to tell you of the Du Chainat exposure; I showed the article to you myself.” George spoke more to himself than to the other man, as though correlating his thoughts aloud. “I recall that you seemed interested about it, even excited, but you never mentioned the fact that you knew the man, much less that he had tried to take you in on his schemes. It wasn’t like you, Norman; you’ve told me everything, ever since we were boys, and I am wondering where I could have failed you.”