Page:Hornung - Fathers of Men.djvu/317

 "I know what you must think of me, sir," he said. "I had to meet a blackmailer at his own time and place. But that's no excuse for me."

"I'm glad you don't make it one, I must say! I was going on to tell you that I followed the fly, only naturally, as I think you'll agree. But it wasn't my fault you didn't hear me in the wood before you saw me, Rutter. I made noise enough, but you were so taken up with your—boon companion!"

Jan resented that; but he had made up his mind not even to start the dangerous game of self-defence.

"He exaggerated that part of it," was all that Jan said, dryly.

"So I should hope. It's not my business to ask for explanations"

"And I've none to give, sir."

"It's only for me to report the whole matter, Rutter, as of course I must at once."

Jan looked alarmed.

"Do you mean before the match is over? Must the Eleven and all those Old Boys"

"Hear all about it? Not necessarily, I should say, but it won't be in my hands. The facts are usually kept quiet in—in the worst cases—as you know. But I shan't have anything to say to that."

"You would if it were a fellow in your house!" Jan could not help rejoining. "You'd take jolly good care to have as little known as possible—if you don't mind my saying so!" Haigh did mind; he was a man to mind the slightest word, and yet he took this from Jan without a word in reply. The fact was that, much to his annoyance and embarrassment, he was beginning to respect the youth more in his downfall than at the height of his cricketing