Page:Waylaid by Wireless - Balmer - 1909.djvu/27

Rh the young American's incomprehensible sense of humor was conquering him again. Before the Briton had checked himself, Preston was laughing at him outright.

"Is not that a fair account of how you appeared—and still appear at times, sir?" Dunneston demanded.

"I suppose—yes, of course it is, Mr. Dunneston!" Preston admitted. "So that was what first set your suspicions against me?" he cried.

"Obviously!" the Englishman replied. "So when I was confronted with this statement—" he tapped his newspaper—"I thought it might be the part of even a travelling acquaintance to warn you of its apparent purport!"

"If I appeared that way, I certainly can't blame you at all!" the young American's humor had now entirely restored itself. "And I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Mr. Dunneston. Tell me the rest. Please go on!"

"That was quite all!" the Englishman returned, applying himself to his breakfast tea 9