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 seen him since—several times. He and John had just met casually in the street. No!"

"And instead of stopping to speak, although you knew John wanted to see you, you passed these two"

"I didn't pass them. I chanced to see them on the other side of the street. I went on—to where I expected to meet John."

"And John never came?"

"He never came!"

"Then, for anything you know, he may have gone somewhere with this man!"

Thomas remained silent: it seemed to Wedgwood that some new train of thought had been aroused in him. He suddenly rose from his chair.

"I'm not going to tell you who that man was, Wedgwood, if that's what you're after," he said with decision. "At any rate, not now! But I'll promise you this! If I think it's necessary—and I'll admit that your last remark's a pertinent one—that John may have gone somewhere with him—I will! But that's all—at present."

He went away without another word, and before Wedgwood had time to reflect on what had passed between them, Mr. James Nottidge was announced. A question was off his lips before he had well crossed the threshold.