"Why she should take the trouble even to speak with you for a
moment, I do not know," the professor continued, "but she does.
It has pleased her to talk with you--why I can't imagine--only if
I were you I would get away while there is yet time. She is my
daughter but she has no heart, no pity. I saw her smile at you.
I am sorry always for the man she smiles upon like that.
Goodnight, Mr. Tavernake!"
The professor crossed the street. Tavernake watched him until he
was out of sight. Then he felt an arm thrust through his.
"Why, this is what I call luck!" a familiar voice exclaimed.
"Mr. Tavernake, you're the very man I was looking for!"
CHAPTER XVIII
A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE
Tavernake was not sociably inclined and took no pains to conceal
the fact. Mr. Pritchard, however, was not easily to be shaken
off.
"So you've been palling up to the old man, eh?" he remarked, in
friendly fashion.
"I came across the professor unexpectedly," Tavernake answered,
coldly. "What do you want with me, please? I am on my way
home."
Pritchard laughed softly to himself.
"Say, there's something about you Britishers I can't help
admiring!" he declared. "You are downright, aren't you?"
"I suppose you think we are too clumsy to be anything else,"
Tavernake replied. "This is my 'bus coming. Good-night!"
Pritchard's hand, however, tightened upon his companion's arm.
"Look here, young man," he said, "don't you be foolish.
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