"He is now in the country, and we may corner him any day; but he is very slip about and clever."
"You are sure that he is the right person?"
"Oh, yes, why not?" rejoined the clerk with easy confidence; and then, deliberately ticking off each finger, he continued, "Army man, retired; age between fifty and sixty,—always hiding identity, coming and going, many, many years. No letters from England, no English friends, no real home."
"Yes, it seems all right," said Mallender turning to open his dispatch-box, and extract a cheque-book. "Here," having scribbled for a moment, "is the money. As soon as you have any 'pucka' news, let me know at once."
The clerk received the slip of green paper, and having examined it carefully, laid down a receipt, and was about to depart when Mrs. Brander appeared, just back from golf.
"Ah, I'm interrupting a business interview!" she exclaimed, backing to the door.
"No, we have quite finished," replied Mallender, nodding to the baboo, who immediately salaamed, and glided forth.
"I am certain that man has something to do with your mystery," announced the lady, now coming forward, and seating herself squarely in an arm-chair.
"What do you mean?—what mystery?"
"Oh, you need not pretend! As a child, I was notorious for ferreting out secrets; and I've always known that you had one."