"
"Oh, nothing. I came across the name."
"Evidently." Greenacre's tone became a little more positive. "I'm
sure you have no objection to telling me how and where you came
across it."
Gammon had an uncomfortable sense of something unfamiliar in his
friend. Greenacre had never spoken in this way to him; it sounded
rather too imperative, too much the tone of a superior.
"I don't think I can tell you that," he said awkwardly.
"No? Really? I'm sorry. In that case I can't tell you anything that
I have learnt. Yet I fancy it _might_ be worth your while to
exchange."
"Exchange?"
"Your information for mine, you know. What I have is substantial,
reliable. I think you can trust me in matters of genealogy. Come
now. Am I right in supposing this curiosity of yours is not
altogether unconnected with Your interest in Francis Quodling the
silk broker? Nothing to me, Gammon; nothing, I assure you. Pure love
of genealogical inquiry. Never made a penny out of such things in my
life. But I have taken a little trouble, etc. As a matter of
friendship--no? Then we'll drop the subject.
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