"What the deuce is the matter with him!" I exclaimed, irritably. "I'll take any chances Kingsley does!"
Miss Barrison looked up in surprise.
"Miss Barrison," I said, plunging into the subject headfirst, "I'm extremely sorry, but I have news that forces me to believe the journey too dangerous for you to attempt, so I think that it would be much better—" The consternation in her pretty face checked me.
"I'm awfully sorry," I muttered, appalled by her silence.
"But—but you engaged me!"
"I know it—I should not have done it. I only—"
"But you did engage me, didn't you?"
"I believe that I did—er—oh, of course—"
"But a verbal contract is binding between honorable people, isn't it, Mr. Gilland?"
"Yes, but—"