Those who live in glass houses should be careful how they throw stones.
“It’s pretty hard, Joe, I admit, but when it comes to secrets, who among us is above reproach?”
“Eh?”
Joe Leslie seems to color up in a manner altogether unnecessary.
“You, for instance, old man—I warrant you do lots of little things that you would hardly care for your wife to know. But”—seeing the other’s evident confusion—“let that pass. I will undertake to clear up this mystery for you, Joe, as speedily as possible.”
“What shall I do?”
“Try and act as though your suspicions were not aroused—do everything just as you would under ordinary circumstances. Even treat this false friend Barbara warmly—anything but to give our game away in the start.”
“I presume I can go on in the same old rut, provided it is not for long.”
“I’ll promise you that the whole thing will soon be cleared up. There is a screw loose somewhere, and I’m going to find it.”
Again Joe blushed at the emphasis laid on that word, though Eric was not looking at him, and it did not seem as though he meant any personal reflection.