"Loudon," he said, "you see Mamie has some fancy; and I must say there's just a sort of a shadow of an excuse; for it IS bewildering--even to me, Loudon, with my trained business intelligence.

For God's sake, clear it up." "This serves me right," said I."I should not have tried to keep you in the dark; I should have told you at first that I was pledged to secrecy; I should have asked you to trust me in the beginning.

It is all I can do now.

There is more of the story, but it concerns none of us, and my tongue is tied.

I have given my word of honour.