"
"My dear sir," he said, extending his hand and vigorously
shaking the hand of his new arrival, "this is an unexpected
pleasure."
"Unexpected? Didn't you get my letter from London?"
said Mr. Armstrong, suffering his hand to be shaken,
but not returning the arm pressure.
"Certainly----"
"In which I mentioned my approaching departure?"
"Yes, certainly; but I didn't know on what day to expect you.
Pray sit down. It seems pleasant to see you home safe and well."
"Humph!" returned Armstrong, in a tone by no means as cordial.
"Have you found my box of bonds?"
"Not yet, but----"
"Permit me to ask you why you allowed me to remain ignorant
of so important a matter? I was indebted to the public prints,
to which my attention was directed by an acquaintance, for a piece
of news which should have been communicated to me at once."
"My dear sir, I intended to write you as soon as I heard of
your arrival. I did not know till this moment that you were
in America."
"You might have inferred it from the intimation in my last letter.
Why did you not cable me the news?"
"Because," replied Duncan awkwardly, "I did not wish to
spoil your pleasure, and thought from day to day that the box
would turn up.
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