Of course if you can't give me any, I must see him
to-morrow.'
'He won't tell you anything more than I have.'
'And you don't _know_ anything more?'
'I didn't say that, my dear fellow. Suppose you begin by telling me
a little more about yourself?'
It was a matter of time, but at length the dialogue took another
character. The glasses of stimulant were renewed, and as Joseph grew
expansive Scawthorne laid aside something of his professional
reserve, without, however, losing the discretion which led him to
subdue his voice and express himself in uncompromising phrases.
Their sitting lasted about an hour, and before taking leave of each
other they arranged for a meeting at a different place in the course
of a few days.
Joseph walked homewards with deliberation, in absent mood, his
countenance alternating strangely between a look of mischievous
jocoseness and irritable concern; occasionally he muttered to
himself. Just before reaching the Close he turned into a
public-house; when he came forth the malicious smile was on his
face, and he walked with the air of a man who bas business of moment
before him. He admitted himself to the house.
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