 is all this about? Do you suspect him of planning burglaries? That was an
ill-judged step, Buckland; decidedly ill-judged. I said just now that Peak
impressed me by no means disagreeably. Now I will add that I am convinced of his
good faith - as sure of it as I am of his remarkable talents and aptitude for
the profession he aims at. In spite of your extraordinary distrust, I can't feel
a moment's doubt of his honour. Why, I could have told you myself that he has
known Radical journalists. He mentioned it the other day, and explained how far
his sympathy went with that kind of thing. No, no; that was hardly permissible,
Buckland.«
    The young man had no difficulty in bowing to his father's reproof when the
point at issue was one of gentlemanly behaviour.
    »I admit it,« he replied. »I wish I had gone to Rotherhithe and made simple
inquiries in my own name. That, all things considered, I might have allowed
myself; at all events, I shouldn't have been at ease without getting that
assurance. If Peak had heard, and had said to me, What the deuce do you mean? I
should have told him plainly, what I have strongly hinted to him already, that I
don't understand what he is doing in this galley.«
    »And have placed yourself in a position not easy to define.«
    »No doubt.«
    »All this arises, my boy,« resumed Martin, in a tone of grave kindness,
»from your strange inability to grant that on certain matters you may be wholly
misled.«
    »It does.«
    »Well, well; that is forbidden ground. But do try to be less narrow. Are you
unable then to meet Peak in a friendly way?«
    »Oh, by no means! It seems more than likely that I have wronged him.«
    »Well said! Keep your mind open. I marvel at the dogmatism of men who are
set on overthrowing dogma. Such a position is so strangely unphilosophic that I
don't know how a fellow of your brains can hold it for a moment. If I were not
afraid of angering you,« Martin added, in his pleasantest tone, »I would quote
the Master of Trinity.«
    »A capital epigram, but it is repeated too often.«
    Mr. Warricombe shook his head, and with a laugh rose to say good-night.
    »It's a great pity,« he
