“The coward! Did any one else see it?”
“No, I think not.”
The two walked on in silence to Welch’s house, and once more reached the study they had so abruptly quitted.
“Are you badly hurt?” asked Fairbairn.
“Not a bit; my shin is a little barked, that’s all.”
“What a bulldog you can be when you like, old man,” said Fairbairn, laughing. “I never saw any one go into battle so gamely. Why, the whole glory of the rescue belongs to you.”
“What bosh! You had to rescue me as well as Wyndham. But I’m thankful he’s safe.”
“You’re awfully sweet about that precious youngster,” said Fairbairn. “I hope he’ll be grateful to you, that’s all.”
Riddell said nothing, and shortly afterwards Fairbairn said he must go. As he was leaving Riddell called him back.
“I say, Fairbairn,” said he, in his half-nervous way, “you needn’t say anything about Silk, there’s a good fellow; it wouldn’t do any good.”