I
was an idealist then, before I had lived amongst men of affairs in many
countries and had seen many degrees of corruption. Nowadays I expect
less of my fellows. But when I remember now that any form of injustice
or unfairness or crooked dealing roused me to indignation and revolt
in the days of my young manhood, I still take a secret pride in the lad
that was.
So
finally away I went, out of the nest, slung out of Vienna by a force of
emotions not altogether within my own comprehension. I suppose I should
have gone anyway, but the motive-power was provided by the Case of the
Nun's Ruby, of which more in the next chapter.
