‘That sounds like a sneer at philosophers.’
‘I did not mean it; but there is a difference between the man who is a philosopher and the man who is up to the time of day. Now, this Beecham has travelled a great deal, read a great deal, and knows a great deal; but he doesn’t know a game at cards. I had to show him how to play Nap!’
Mr Hadleigh was not interested by this record of the simplicity of the stranger; he was occupied by some other reflection, which caused his brows to contract and his eyelids to droop.
‘Has he told you what part of the world he comes from?’
Wrentham laughed.
‘Why, he comes from everywhere—America, Australia, and likely enough the North Pole, although he has not particularly referred to it.’
Mr Hadleigh rose.
‘Will you find out for me, if you can, where he came from last?’
Wrentham became suddenly serious.
‘You don’t suppose there is anything wrong about him? He acts and talks straightforwardly enough.’