"
"Then you should have let me know when you did decide. You lay
your plans, and never say a word, and expect me to tumble to them
by light of nature. How was I to know you had anything on?"
I had turned the tables with some effect. Raffles almost hung
his head.
"The fact is, Bunny, I didn't mean you to know. You--you've grown
such a pious rabbit in your old age!"
My nickname and his tone went far to mollify me, other things
went farther, but I had much to forgive him still.
"If you were afraid of writing," I pursued, "it was your business
to give me the tip the moment I set foot on board. I would have
taken it all right. I am not so virtuous as all that."
Was it my imagination, or did Raffles look slightly ashamed? If
so, it was for the first and last time in all the years I knew
him; nor can I swear to it even now.
"That," said he, "was the very thing I meant to do--to lie in
wait in my room and get you as you passed. But--"
"You were better engaged?"
"Say otherwise."
"The charming Miss Werner?"
"She is quite charming."
"Most Australian girls are," said I.
"How did you know she was one?" he cried.
"I heard her speak."
"Brute!" said Raffles, laughing; "she has no more twang than you
have. Her people are German, she has been to school in Dresden,
and is on her way out alone.
Pages:
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199