“Did they say anything about me?”
“Not a word, old man.”
Whereat Heathcote turned a little crusty, and wondered that ten yards in a quarter of a mile should make such a difference.
Dick was bursting to tell him all about it, and made matters far worse by betraying that he had a secret, which he could on no account impart.
“You’ll know to-morrow, most likely,” said he. “I’m awfully sorry they made me promise to keep it close. But I’ll tell you first of all when its settled; and I may be able to give you a leg up before long.”
Heathcote said he did not want a leg up; and feeling decidedly out of humour, made some excuse to go indoors and hunt up young Aspinall.
On his way he encountered a junior, next to whom he had sat at dinner, and with whom he had then exchanged a few words.
“Where are you going?” demanded that youthful warrior.
“Indoors,” said Heathcote.
“No, you aren’t,” replied the bravo, standing like a wolf across the way.