Page:Marsh--The seen and the unseen.djvu/99

Rh He laid a wholly unmistakable accent upon "won." "It is I who insist on that, sir, not you."

"Pray do not let us quarrel as to phrases," said Mr. Burchell with a smile—a smile for which I could have strangled him. I counted out the moneys. Just as I had completed the act of restitution—restitution! To think that an honest man should have had to endure such humiliation!—the train drew up at Red Hill Junction—it was scarcely more than three-quarters of an hour since we left Victoria. Mr. Burchell rose.

"I wish you good-day, Mr. Ranken."

"A wish in which I join." And Mr. Armitage rose too.

"You are not going?" I cried.

"But indeed we are." "Then I say that you shall do nothing of the kind. Do you think that I am going to allow you to place on me such a stigma without offering me an opportunity to prove my innocence?"

"If you dare to touch me, Mr. Ranken"—in my excitement I had grasped Mr. Burchell by the arm—"I shall summon an officer. As I am unwilling to appear as your accuser in a police-court, if you take my advice, you will let me go."