Page:Waylaid by Wireless - Balmer - 1909.djvu/54



" was suggesting to you that you are—the thief?" the girl turned uncertainly from the Englishman to the American again. "Oh—not seriously, of course!"

"In all British seriousness, Miss Varris," Preston replied.

"Ah; but I say, Mr. Preston, I say—" the Englishman began.

"Of course, Miss Varris," the American went on, "to be fair, you must understand that Mr. Dunneston was not doing it in a personal or offensive way at all. He was merely pointing out in a friendly manner how directly the facts of the case proved against me; wasn't that it, sir?"

"Ah; but I told you, Mr. Preston," the Englishman replied, "that as no other 36