Part 2 (1/2)
”You mean Arkwright? Yes, poor devil! I had forgotten him. Tell me how it happened.” And he lay down on the sofa.
”Why, didn't you hear!”
”Only vaguely.”
He hesitated, shot a furtive look at Gordon, and added, tentatively--
”I was in India at the time.”
”Were you in India, too?” Gordon exclaimed.
Hawke turned his head to the wall to conceal the smile on his face, and answered--
”Yes, I was there. But why 'too'?”
”Well, because----”
”Yes?”
”Well, Miss Nugent happened to be at Poonah.”
”Really? But tell me about Arkwright.”
For the second time that day Gordon related the story of the accident.
”Here's to better luck next time!” Hawke yawned when he had finished.
”By the way, you are not drinking. That is one of the signs of impending matrimony, I suppose.”
”Oh, no!” Gordon laughed. ”Only you have made it so confoundedly strong.”
”It will help you to sleep.”
”I shan't need help.”
”Ah! You look tired, and I am keeping you up.”
Hawke drew his watch from his pocket.
”By Jove, it's past eleven!”
He rose from the sofa and took his hat.
”Are you going?” asked Gordon.
”Yes. Good night!”
Gordon went to the door.
”Don't you bother to come out!” cried Hawke quickly.
But Gordon lifted the latch and stepped out into the porch. Instantly Hawke slipped by him and hurried across the little garden to the gate.