“It means that the claim is settled, and that you are a free man, my lord,” said the officer, warmly; “and if you’ll allow me to offer my respectful congratulations and a word of warning——”
“A word of warning?” said Lord Cecil, confusedly.
“Yes, my lord. This business—though it’s all right in a legal way—has had a curious feature or two about it. I mean that there’s been some underhand work going on: Jews, I expect. You see, though the amounts were owing to several persons originally, they’ve been bought up by some one—some one who’s got a grudge against you! Can you guess who it is?”
Lord Cecil shook his head.
“I know no one who has any grudge against me,” he said, still bewildered.
“Very well, my lord, all the more reason that you should keep your eyes open. At any rate, you’re clear of ’em now, and I wish you good-day. You won’t be sorry to see the back of me, I daresay.”
“Stop!” exclaimed Lord Cecil; and the man turned, with his hand on the door. “Some one has paid this money. Who was it?”
The man shook his head.
“A friend who wishes to remain unknown, my lord,” he said.
Lord Cecil stared at him.