He held Joe’s secret.
Thank heaven it was not more serious.
As for Joe himself, not recognizing the other, he sprang up in a belligerent way.
“Hello, here! What’s wanted?” he demanded.
“Joe!”
“The deuce take it—who are you?” uneasily.
“Eric.”
That was enough.
Leslie advanced, holding out his hand in a sort of hesitating, shamefaced way.
“Ah! old man, glad to see you, but I declare I didn’t know you at first.”