"I have been looking for you everywhere," said he. "Come and be introduced to Mr. Linton."
"Who is Mr. Linton?"
"John Parver. He writes under that name. Ah, Mr. Hilliston, I did not see you. How do you do, sir?"
"I am quite well, Mr. Tait, and am just taking my departure," replied Hilliston easily. "I see you are both set on finding out the truth. But you will learn nothing from John Parver."
"Why not, Mr. Hilliston?"
"Because he knows nothing. Good-night, Claude—good-night, Mr. Tait!"
When Hilliston disappeared Tait looked at Claude with a singular expression, and scratched his chin.
"You see," said he quietly, "Mr. Hilliston has been making inquiries on his own account."
"You are incurably suspicious," said Claude impatiently. "Hilliston is my friend."
"Yes. He was your father's friend also, I believe."