Colonel Durrance was prepared for reticence, he
looked to reticence as the answer to his conjecture. His trained ear,
besides, had warned him that Willoughby was uneasy at his visit and
careful in his speech. There had been pauses, during which Durrance was
as sure as though he had eyes wherewith to see, that his companion was
staring at him suspiciously and wondering how much he knew, or how
little. There had been an accent of wariness and caution in his voice,
which was hatefully familiar to Durrance's ears, for just with that
accent Ethne had been wont to speak. Moreover, Durrance had set
traps,--that remark of his "for no obvious reason, I think I said," had
been one,--and a little start here, or a quick turn there, showed him
that Willoughby had tumbled into them.
He had no wish, however, that Willoughby should write off to Ethne and
warn her that Durrance was making inquiries. That was a possibility, he
recognised, and he set himself to guard against it.
"I want to tell you why I was anxious to meet you," he said. "It was
because of Harry Feversham;" and Captain Willoughby, who was
congratulating himself that he was well out of an awkward position,
fairly jumped in his seat.
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