But I was only a trifle shaken and confused.
Still, it was a queer affair." "You mean the man pushing you down in that way ?" "Yes; I can't make out how his foot got in front of mine." "You don't think it was intentional, surely ?" I said.
"No, of course not," he replied, but without much conviction, as it seemed to me; and I was about to pursue the matter when Polton reappeared, and my friend abruptly changed the subject.
After dinner I recounted my conversation with Walter Hornby, watching my colleague's face with some eagerness to see what effect this new information would produce on him.

The result was, on the whole, disappointing.

He was interested, keenly interested, but showed no symptoms of excitement.
"So John Hornby has been plunging in mines, eh ?" he said, when I had finished.

"He ought to know better at his age.

Did you learn how long he had been in difficulties ?" "No.