He realized Mr.Carlyon guessed that the accident had happened before that event could take place, and his silence about it showed what he thought.

John Derringham quivered with discomfort, he hated to feel the whip of his old master's contempt.

And he could not explain matters or justify himself--there was nothing to be said.

The Professor, of course, knew of Halcyone's whereabouts--but, after his broad hint of his want of sympathy about their relations, John Derringham felt he could not open the subject with him again.

This channel for the assuagement of his anxieties was closed.