I suppose that isn't necessary
in your case, Nasmyth?"
He spoke with an enthusiasm rare indeed in him: it had grown upon
Raffles in the train; the spirit of his boyhood had come rushing
back at fifty miles an hour. He might have been following some
honorable calling in town; he might have snatched this brief respite
from a distinguished but exacting career. I am convinced that it
was I alone who remembered at that moment the life we were really
leading at that time. With me there walked this skeleton through
every waking hour that was to follow. I shall endeavor not to refer
to it again. Yet it should not be forgotten that my skeleton was
always there.
"It certainly is not necessary in my case," replied Nasmyth, still
as stiff as any poker. "I happen to be a trustee."
"Of the school?"
"Like my father before me."
"I congratulate you, my dear fellow!" cried the hearty Raffles - a
younger Raffles than I had ever known in town.
"I don't know that you need," said Nasmyth sourly.
"But it must be a tremendous interest. And the proof is that
you're going down to this show, like all.
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