Part 16 (2/2)
”Who the devil are you?” he demanded in surly tones.
Thus rudely aroused to the reality, and seeing that it was really a creature of flesh and blood he had to deal with and not a creature of another world, Kenneth answered haughtily:
”I'm not accustomed to being addressed in that manner.”
Handsome laughed mockingly. With affected politeness he retorted:
”Your lords.h.i.+p's servant! What is his lords.h.i.+p's pleasure?”
Kenneth did not hear the taunting reply or heed the sneer. He was still staring at this counterpart of himself, this very image yet who was not himself, but a human derelict, a wretched, sodden outcast. All at once, an overwhelming, horrible suggestion rushed across his brain.
Could it be, was it--his long lost twin brother? Almost gasping, he demanded:
”Who are you?”
Handsome chuckled.
”I don't know.”
”What is your name?”
The man chuckled.
”They call me Handsome. That's because I'm a good looker. I have had a good many other names, but I've forgotten what they are. The police know. It's all in the records.”
”My G.o.d--a police record!”
”What of it?” Bitterly he added: ”We can't all be fine gentlemen and millionaires.”
”Where are you from?”
”Nowhere.”
”Who were your parents?”
”Never had any that I know of.”
Kenneth started forward and, seizing the man's left hand, closely examined it. Yes, there was the scar on the index finger of the left hand. No further doubt was possible. This was his brother. Handsome, meantime, had been watching the other's agitation with mingled interest and amus.e.m.e.nt.
Hoa.r.s.ely, Kenneth cried:
”Where have you been all these years?”
Handsome stared as if he thought his interlocutor had gone crazy.
Almost angrily he retorted:
”What d----d business is it of yours?”
Paying no heed to the miner's offensive att.i.tude, and anxious only to learn something of his history, Kenneth approached him and held out his hand.
”I wish to be your friend.”
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