Besides, he felt exceedingly curious.
Her whole manner during the interview in fact roused a very strong
sensation of curiosity.
He got his hat and his coat (Mr. Hobhouse always wore a topcoat) and they
crunched their way down the knobbly drive and passed out into the road,
neither saying a word. And then Mr. Hobhouse got the most rousing
eye-opener of his career, or of Roger Merton's either. She turned to him
and said quietly,
"I hope you are taking care of your own life, Mr. Merton."
XII
THE CONFIDANT
A second or two passed before I was able to answer at all, and even then
my first remark was not in the least worthy of the occasion; but it
expressed precisely what was in my mind.
"How the--how on earth did you find me out?"
She smiled a little, but her manner was anxious still.
"I haven't lived all my life in Ransay," she said. "I have even been to
London and to quite a good many London theatres. In fact I've seen you
act before, Mr. Merton."
"What an extraordinary way to be found out!" I thought, and aloud I said,
"But my name isn't on the programme in Ransay."
"It was, when you were last here, you must remember," said she.
I looked at her for a moment, and she at me, and in that exchange of
glances I decided emphatically that there was no sign of evil in those
eyes.
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