“Yes; I have been fortunate.”
“It is wonderful. You are elegantly dressed. Yet I left you destitute, or rather you left me, without a penny to fall back upon.”
“That is true, Professor Puffer.”
“It was a reckless step to take.”
“It may have been, but you must admit that I had good reasons for taking the step,” said Bernard significantly.
“What are you doing? Are you employed?” asked the professor, without comment.
“I am, and I am not. I am nominally private secretary to my kind friend, Mr. Walter Cunningham,” said Bernard, with a look at that gentleman.
“The gentleman who advertised in London for a traveling companion?”
“The same.”
“I sought the position. I should have been much better qualified than you,” said the professor peevishly.