"Before we go upstairs," he said, drawing his chair close to Priscilla's
and lowering his voice, "I wish to say to you what, doubtless, there is
no real need of saying. I simply emphasize the necessity. The young man
who requires your services is Clyde Huntter. This means nothing to you,
but it does to many others. He is supposed to be in--Bermuda. You
understand?"
"Yes, Doctor Hapgood."
"The case is a particularly tragic one, such an one as you may encounter
later on in your career. It demands all your sympathy, encouragement, and
patience. Mr. Huntter is as fine a man, as upright a one, as I know, his
ideals and--and present life are above reproach. He is paying a bitter
debt for youthful and ignorant folly. I believed this impossible, but so
it is. I am thankful to say, however, that he has every reason to hope
that the future, after this, is secure. I have chosen you to care for
him, because I know your ability; have heard of your powers of reticence
and cheerfulness. I depend upon you absolutely."
"Thank you, Doctor Hapgood."
Priscilla's face had gone deadly white, but never having heard Huntter's
name before, she was impersonal in her feeling.
Pages:
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356