“I don’t think that subject is under discussion, Talbot, and we will, therefore, pass it.  To what do I owe the honor of this visit?”

“Don’t be a damned fool, St. George!  Don’t you see I’m half crazy?  Harry has come back and he is hiding somewhere in this neighborhood.”

“How do you know?” he inquired coolly.  He did not intend to help Rutter one iota in his search until he found out why he wanted Harry.  No more cursing of either his son or himself—­that was another chapter which was closed.

“Because I’ve been hunting for him all day.  He rode out to Moorlands yesterday, and I didn’t know him, he’s so changed.  But think of it!  St. George, I ordered him out of my office.  I took him for a road-peddler.  And he’s going to sea again—­he told Alec as much.  I tell you I have got to get hold of him!  Don’t sit there and stare at me, man! tell me where I can find my son!”

“What made you suppose he was here, Talbot?” The same cool, measured speech and manner, but with a more open mind behind it now.  The pathetic aspect of the man, and the acute suffering shown in every tone of his voice, had begun to tell upon the invalid.

“Because a man I’ve got downstairs brought Harry here last night.  He is not positive, as it was quite dark, but he thinks this is the place.  I went first to the Barkeley Line, found they had a ship in—­the Mohican—­and saw the captain, who told me of a man who came aboard at Rio.  Then I learned where he had put up for the night—­a low sailors’ retreat—­and found this peddler who said he had sold Harry the silks which he offered me.  He brought me here.”

“Well, I can’t help you any.  There are only two rooms—­I occupy this and my old cook, Jemima, has the other.  I have been here for over a month.”

“Here! in this God-forsaken place!  Why, we thought you had gone to Virginia.  That’s why we have had no answers to our letters, and we’ve hunted high and low for you.  Certainly you have heard about the Patapsco and what—­”

“I certainly have heard nothing, Talbot, and as I have just told you, I’d rather you would not discuss my affairs.  The last time you saw fit to encroach upon them brought only bitterness, and I prefer not to repeat it.  Anything you have to say about Harry I will gladly hear.  Go on—­I’m listening.”

“For God’s sake, St. George, don’t take that tone with me!  If you knew how wretched I am you’d be sorry for me.  I am a broken-down man!  If Harry goes away again without my seeing him I don’t want to live another day.  When Alec came running back last night and told me that I had cursed my son to his face, I nearly went out of my mind.  I knew when I saw Alec’s anger that it was true, and I knew, too, what a brute I had been.  I ran to Annie’s room, took her in my arms, and asked her pardon.  All night I walked my room; at daylight I rang for Alec, sent for Matthew, and he hooked up the carryall and we came in here.