They washed and breakfasted, and then went out. It was early morning, and there were not many people astir.
"We are going first," said Basil, "to see Mr. Philpott, of whom I told you last night. I have an impression that Mr. Gilbert Bidaud is not in England. If we are fortunate enough in striking the trail, and he is in a foreign country, the task we are set upon may be long and difficult. I am debating whether it would be advisable to ask Philpott to accompany us."
"From your opinion of him," said Corrie, "he is a man to be trusted."
"Thoroughly."
"In a foreign country I should be next door to useless, except to prove that you are yourself. Mr. Philpott is accustomed to such jobs as this, and knows the tricks of hunting men down. I should say take him."
"I will, if he is agreeable. He doesn't know who I really am, though he has perhaps a suspicion of the truth, and it will be necessary that I should tell him my story. If he can come with us I shall have no hesitation in confiding in him."
They found the Philpott family at breakfast.
"I thought we were early birds, sir," said Mr. Philpott, while his wife dusted two chairs for the visitors, "but there are other birds, I see, more wide-awake than we are. Why, it's barely seven o'clock! Breakfast done when the clock strikes--that's my notion of bringing up a family."
"I've something of importance to say to you," said Basil, "when you've finished."
"Finished now, sir," said Philpott; "always ready for business. We'll talk outside if you don't mind. Mother hasn't had time to do the rooms yet." They walked up and down the quiet street, and after Basil had ascertained that Philpott was able and willing to accompany him, and that the next train for Bournemouth did not start for a couple of hours, he communicated to Philpott all he considered it necessary that worthy man should know of his history.