"Run off, youngster. Leave me," cried Stanley hoarsely.
Harry ran out, wondering at the effect his information had had upon his cousin.
"Shook hands with him!" echoed Stanley, as he sank with a groan upon the bed.
CHAPTER XXI
THE CHASM WIDENS
Unintentionally Harry Moncrief had made deeper the chasm between the one-time friends. It was quite evident to Stanley, from Harry's description of what he had witnessed, that there was an understanding between Paul and Wyndham, otherwise they would never have shaken hands with each other. The fact that Paul could take the hand of one who had thrashed him set the blood tingling in Stanley's veins. That showed plainly enough that Paul was on friendly terms with his enemy—with an enemy of the school. What was to be done?
Stanley got up and paced the room. The softer feelings that had been working in his breast vanished.
"I will never speak to Paul Percival again—never!" he said fiercely. "Perhaps the whole of that business at the sand-pit was a trap of his into which I was fool enough to fall. How else could they have shaken hands together?"
It seemed to him, thus blinded by suspicion against his friend, that it could only have one meaning—they were gloating over his defeat.