“Not now, I thank you—some other evening perhaps. Did I understand you to say that this violinist and picture-frame maker was stopping here?”
“He is for the present, until his orders are completed. Why, Lord bless us, he’s done wonders at the Hall, and has been highly complimented by Lord Ethalwood himself.”
Brickett now put his customer in possession of all the facts relative to the restoration of the decayed portrait of his lordship’s great ancestor.
“Ah, he must be a smartish sort of chap. Thank you,” observed the detective, who very shortly after the foregoing conversation was conducted to his bedroom.
In the morning he was shown into the clubroom where breakfast was served. Peace was partaking of his morning meal.
The detective bowed and sat down on the opposite side of the table. He looked at our hero with evident curiosity, but did not remember to have seen him before.
During breakfast the two conversed upon several topics, which were however not of a personal nature.
Peace did not know who his companion was; neither did he take the trouble to inquire. He concluded he was some commercial man who had rested there for the night, and the probability was that he should not see any more of him.
In this, however, he was mistaken.
Our hero went to his workshop, and Mr. Wrench remained behind.