He had never doubted but that he would succeed; nay, even that Riddell would be glad to meet him more than half-way.

But now it seemed this was not to be, and Bloomfield lost his temper.
"You mean to say," said he, angrily, "you're going to keep it to yourself ?" "Yes, till I am sure." "Till you are sure! What are you going to do to make it sure, I'd like to know ?" "Everything I can." "You know, I suppose, what everybody says about you and the whole concern ?" said Bloomfield.
"I can't help what they say," said the captain.

"They say that if you chose you could tell straight out like an honest man who it is." Riddell looked quickly up at the speaker, and Bloomfield felt half ashamed of the taunt directly it escaped his lips.
"I say that's what the fellows think," said he, "and it's in your own interest to clear yourself.

They think you are shielding some one." The captain's face changed colour rapidly, and Bloomfield was quick enough to see it.
"It's hardly what fellows had been led to expect of you," said he, with a touch of sarcasm in his voice.

"Anyhow it knocks on the head any idea of our pulling together as I had hoped.