“Don’t be an ass now!” Saltash said, and his voice was oddly gentle, even compassionate.  “You’ve stumbled on a mare’s nest.  It’s all right.  I can explain.”

Bunny controlled himself with a jerk.  His face was like death, but he found his voice.  “You can keep your damned lies to yourself,” he said.  “I’ve no use for them.”

The prod of a riding-switch against his shoulder made him start as a spirited animal starts at the touch of a spur.  But Saltash only laughed.

“You’ll fight me for that!” he said.

“I wouldn’t touch you!” flung back Bunny.

“Oh, wouldn’t you?” The odd eyes mocked him openly.  “Then you withdraw the insult—­with apologies?”

“Apologise—­to you!” said Bunny.

“Or fight!” said Saltash.  “I think that would do you more good than the other, but you shall decide.”

“I will do neither,” said Bunny, and turned his back with the words.  “I’ve—­done with you.”

“You’re wrong!” said Saltash.  “You’ve got to face it, and you won’t get the truth from anyone but me.  That girl knows nothing, Bunny!” His voice was suddenly curt, with that in it which very few ever heard.  “Turn around!  Do you hear?  Turn round—­damn you!  I’ll kick you if you don’t!”

Bunny turned.  It was inevitable.  They stood face to face.  Then Saltash, the mockery gone from his eyes, reached out abruptly and gripped him by the arm.  His touch was electric.  For that moment—­only for that moment—­he was dangerous.  There was something of the spring of a tiger in his action.

“You damn fool!” he said, and he spoke between his teeth.  “Do you suppose even I would play such a blackguard’s game as that?”

“Let me go!” Bunny said through white lips.  “Facts are facts.”

Saltash’s hold did not slacken.  “Where’s Jake?” he said.

“Jake’s away.”

“Confound him!  Just when he’s wanted!” The ferocity died out of Saltash like the glow from cinders blown from a furnace.  “Well, listen!  I swear to you by all that is sacred that you’re making a mistake.  Sheila has told you a certain thing that is true, so far as it goes.  But you’ve let your imagination run away with you.  The rest is false.”

He spoke with an emphasis that carried weight, and Bunny was moved in spite of himself.  His own fire died down.

Saltash saw his advantage and pressed it.  “If Jake were here, he’d tell you I was speaking the truth, and you’d believe him.  You’re on a wrong scent.  So far as I’m concerned, you’re welcome to follow it to blazes.  I’m used to pleasantries of that sort from my friends.  But I’m damned if I’ll let that child be tripped for nothing.  Do you hear, Bunny?” He shook the arm he gripped impatiently.  “I’ll see you in hell first!”

Bunny’s mouth twisted with a painful effort to smile.  “I’m in hell now,” he said.

“Why the devil did you listen?” said Saltash.  “Look here!  We’ve got to have this thing out.  Send a man along with my horse and walk across the park with me!”