Though he remained silent, the suggestion occurred to him about ten days afterwards to go to London and meet Carew.
On calling at the club he found Hugh in the smoking-room, and at once it became apparent that his appearance was the reverse of welcome.
Carew seemed highly nervous and perturbed. They sat over their cigarettes for half an hour chatting over trivialities, when Geoffrey suddenly remarked:
“I suppose you read in the papers what a lot of trouble I’ve had—a robbery at our house?”
“Yes,” his friend replied. “I—I’ve got an appointment out in South Africa, Geoffrey, but—but before I go I want to tell you something.”
“What?” asked his friend.
“Come upstairs to the private room,” said Carew, and both ascended the great old staircase, and passing along a corridor, entered a small rather ill-lit room where private conversation between members could be indulged in.
When Hugh Carew had closed the door, he faced his friend, and said in a low, tremulous voice:
“An explanation is due to you, Geoffrey. I know that you must have been much mystified over the occurrence at Warley, and the narrow escape you had of your invention passing into the hands of foreigners. I confess that I prevented it.”
“You! How?”