THE SECRET OF THE VOYAGE Henley laughed, the sound grating harshly on my nerves, yet I made no movement of protest as he stepped silently back to his desk.

I was no longer afraid of the fellow, even although he might have a weapon concealed in one of the drawers, for I knew I had drawn his fangs.
This open avowal on my part was sufficient to convince one of his stripe that I was concerned only with my own interests.

Whatever suspicion he may have previously entertained regarding my relations with the lady were now thoroughly evaporated.

Assured in his own mind that Philip had never been married, he was now easily convinced that I had merely associated myself with a girl from the streets, whom I was only too glad to desert upon any plausible excuse.

His words confirmed my judgment.
"Well said, my man.