You have not taken any pains to conceal it, either of you.
Your appearance in America at this particular juncture is nothing more
nor less than an insult to me. I intend to receive it as such.'
'I have no intention of insulting you,' said Kenyon, 'if you are dealing
fairly with me.'
'There it is again. That remark is an insult. Everything you say is a
reflection upon me. I wish to have nothing more to say to you. I give you
my advice that it is better for you, and cheaper, to go back to London.
You need not act on it unless you like. I have nothing further to say to
you and so this interview may be considered closed.'
'And how about the mine?'
'I imagine the mine will take care of itself.'
'Do you think this is courteous treatment of a business partner?'
'My dear sir, I do not take my lessons in courtesy from you. Whether you
are pleased or displeased with my treatment of you is a matter of supreme
indifference to me. I am tired of living in an atmosphere of suspicion,
and I have done with it--that is all. You think some game is being played
on you--both you and Mr. Wentworth think that--and yet you haven't the
"cuteness," as they call it here, or sharpness, to find it out. Now, a
man who has suspicions he cannot prove to be well founded should keep
those suspicions to himself until he can prove them. That is my advice
to you. I wish you a good-day.'
John Kenyon walked back to his hotel with more misgivings than ever.
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