"Now, you've had a good long experience of all kinds of adventure. What
do you think of it?"
"Well, when you commenced to tell me of her loneliness I felt inclined
to think that she was deceiving you. The alone-in-London dodge has too
often been worked. But you say that she was evidently a lady--modest,
timid, and apparently unused to London life. What name did she give
you?"
"Cloud--Aline Cloud."
"Aline Cloud!"--he gasped, starting forward with a look of inexpressible
fear.
"Yes. Do you know her?"
"No!" he answered promptly, instantly recovering himself.
But his manner was unconvincing. The hand holding his cigar trembled
slightly, and it was apparent that the news I had imparted had created
an impression upon him the reverse of favourable.
I did not continue the subject, yet as we chatted on, discussing other
things, I pondered deeply.
"Things in the House are droning away as usual," Roddy said, in answer
to a question. "I get sick of this never-ending talk. The debates seem
to grow longer and longer. I'm heartily weary of it all." And he
sighed heavily.
"Yet the papers report your speeches, and write leaders about them," I
remarked. "That speech of yours regarding Korea the other night was
splendid."
"Because I know the country," he replied. "I'm the only man in the
House who has set foot in the place, I suppose. Therefore, I spoke from
personal observation."
"But with the reputation you've gained you ought to be well satisfied,"
I urged. "You are among the youngest men in the House, yet you are
hailed as a coming man."
"That's all very well," he answered. "Nevertheless I wish I'd never
gone in for it," and he yawned and stretched himself.