In the circumstances he felt that he had almost a right to know.

But this was not a man to brook interference.
"If you will answer me one question," the young Scotchman said humbly, "I shall tell you everything." His reveries had made Andrew quick-witted, and he had the judicial mind which prevents one's judging another rashly.

Besides, his hankering after this man had already suggested an exculpation for him.
"You are a Radical ?" he asked eagerly.
The stranger's brows contracted.

"Young man," he said, "though all the Radicals, and Liberals, and Conservatives who ever addressed the House of Commons were in -- --, I would not stoop to pick them up, though I could gather them by the gross." He said this without an Irish accent, and Andrew felt that he had better begin his story at once.
He told everything.
As his tale neared its conclusion his companion scanned him narrowly.
If the stranger's magnanimous countenance did not beam down in sympathy upon the speaker, it was because surprise and gratification filled it.
Only once an ugly look came into his eyes.

That was when Andrew had reached the middle of his second testimonial.
The young man saw the look, and at the same time felt the hold on his arm become a grip.
His heart came into his mouth.