I replied shortly that Henry had gone to live in Bombay, and would not be home for years.

He saw that I was brusque, so what does he do but draw me aside for a quiet explanation.

"I suppose," he said, "you are annoyed because I told Pettigrew that Henry's wife had run away from him.

The fact is, I did it for your good.

You see, I happened to make a remark to Pettigrew about your brother Henry, and he said that there was no such person.