I'm a
valuable acquaintance for you, if you only realized it. Come
along across the street with me. My club is on the Terrace, just
below. Stroll along there with me and I'll tell you something
about the professor, if you like."
"Thank you," Tavernake answered, "I don't think I care about
hearing gossip. Besides, I think I know all there is to be known
about him."
"Did you give Miss Beatrice my message?" Pritchard asked
suddenly.
"If I did," Tavernake replied, "I have no answer for you."
"Will you tell her this," Pritchard began,--
"No, I will tell her nothing!" Tavernake interrupted. "You can
look after your own affairs. I have no interest in them and I
don't want to have. Good-night!"
Pritchard laughed again but he did not relax his grasp upon the
other's arm.
"Now, Mr. Tavernake," he said, "it won't do for you to quarrel
with me. I shouldn't be surprised if you discovered that I am
one of the most useful acquaintances you ever met in your life.
You needn't come into the club unless you like, but walk as far
as there with me. When we get on to the Terrace, with closed
houses on one side and a palisade upon the other, I am going to
say something to you."
"Very well," Tavernake decided, reluctantly. "I don't know what
there is you can have to tell me, but I'll come as far as there,
at any rate."
They crossed the Strand and turned into Adam Street. As they
neared the further corner, Pritchard stepped from the pavement
into the middle of the street, and looked searchingly around.
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