"On the occasion of my visit to you," Brooks continued, "you may remember the presence of a certain Mr. Lacroix? He is the author, I believe, of several books of travel in Western Canada, and has the reputation of knowing that part of the country exceedingly well."
Brooks paused, but his visitor helped him in no way. His face wore still its passive expression of languid inquiry.
"He spoke of his visit to you," Brooks went on "in Canada, and he twice reiterated the fact that there was no other dwelling within fifty miles of you. He said this upon his own authority, and upon the authority of his Indian guide. Now it is only a few days ago since you spoke of my father as living for years within a few miles of you."
Lord Arranmore nodded his head thoughtfully.
"Ah! And you found the two statements, of course, irreconcilable.
Well, go on!"
Brooks found it difficult. He was grasping a paperweight tightly in one hand, and he felt the rising colour burn his cheeks.
"I wrote to Mr. Lacroix," he said.
"A perfectly natural thing to do," Lord Arranmore remarked, smoothly.
And his answer is here!
"Suppose you read it to me," Lord Arranmore suggested.