204
WYLDER'S HAJVD
Mr. Wylder, considering the tenor of your letters and con-
versation. And I venture to say, Captain Lake, that Lord
Chelford will be just as much surprised as I, when he hears
it."
"But he'll not hear it; /won't tell him, and you shan't;
because I don't think it would be prudent of us — do you?
— to quarrel with Mark Wylder, and he does not wish
our meeting known. It is nothing on earth to me: on
the contrary, it rather places me in an awkward position
keeping other people's secrets."
The attorney made one of his slight, gentlemanlike
bows, and threw back his head with a lofty and reserved
look.
"I don't know, Captain Lake, that I would be quite
justified in withholding the substance of Sir Julius Hock-
ley's letter from Lord Chelford, consulted, as I have had
the honor to be, by that nobleman. I shall, however, turn
it over in my mind."
"Don't the least mind me. In fact, I would rather
tell it than not. And I can explain to Chelford why /
could not mention the circumstance. Wylder, in fact, tied
me down by a promise, and he'll be devilish angry with
you; but, it seems, you don't very much mind that."
He knew that Mr. Larkin did very much mind it; and
the quick glance of the attorney could read nothing what-
ever in the Captain's pallid face and downcast eyes, smil-
ing on the points of his varnished boots.
"Of course, you know, Captain Lake, in alluding to
the possibility of my making any communication to Lord
Chelford, I limit myself strictly to the letter of Sir Julius
Hockley, and do not, by any means, my dear Captain
Lake, include the conversation which has just occurred
and the communication which you have volunteered to
make me."