"I—I Swear it!" said he between quivering lips. "God's love, man, I'd promise you anything to-night! And now—laugh, man, laugh—oh, dammit!" Here he choked and was silent awhile.
"Where are you taking me, Anthony? I cannot return to the 'Soaring
Lark.'"
"Of course not. You're coming with me to 'The Bear' at Hadlow. I have a room there. And you'll promise to be guided by me until this—this cursed affair is over—place yourself and the affair in my hands, Perry?"
"Most thankfully."
"Then I stipulate for supper and bed as soon as possible."
"Very well, Anthony—though I ought to draw up some sort of a will first, oughtn't I?"
"Yes, it is customary, dear fellow."
"There's my Wildfire, I'll leave him to you—if you'll have him."
"Of course—and thank you, Perry."
"You'll soon grow to love the rascal in spite of his mischievous tricks—"