"I only came to tell you." And therewith, having successfully done all that he wanted to do, he walked out of the room and the house, and Ransford, standing in the window, his hands thrust in his pockets, watched him go away across the Close.
"Guardian!" said Mary softly.
Ransford turned sharply.
"Wouldn't it be best," she continued, speaking nervously, "if--if you do know anything about that unfortunate man--if you told it?
Why have this suspicion fastening itself on you?
You!" Ransford made an effort to calm himself.

He was furiously angry--angry with Bryce, angry with Mitchington, angry with the cloud of foolishness and stupidity that seemed to be gathering.
"Why should I--supposing that I do know something, which I don't admit--why should I allow myself to be coerced and frightened by these fools ?" he asked.

"No man can prevent suspicion falling on him--it's my bad luck in this instance.

Why should I rush to the police-station and say, 'Here--I'll blurt out all I know--everything!' Why ?" "Wouldn't that be better than knowing that people are saying things ?" she asked.
"As to that," replied Ransford, "you can't prevent people saying things--especially in a town like this.

If it hadn't been for the unfortunate fact that Braden came to the surgery door, nothing would have been said.