"What do you mean?"
"Nothing! Nothing! Come and cross-examine Frank Linton, alias John Parver."
Clearly Tait was by no means so satisfied with Hilliston as Claude.
CHAPTER XV.
A POPULAR AUTHOR.
Bearing in mind that the character of Hilliston had been rehabilitated by Mrs. Bezel, it was natural that Claude should feel somewhat annoyed at the persistent mistrust manifested toward that gentleman by Tait. However, he had no time to explain or expostulate at the present moment; and moreover, as he knew that the little man was assisting him in this difficult case out of pure friendship, he did not deem it politic to comment on what was assuredly an unfounded prejudice. Tait was singular in his judgments, stubborn in his opinions; so Claude, unwilling to risk the loss of his coadjutor, wisely held his peace. His astute companion guessed these thoughts, for in place of further remarking on the inexplicable presence of Hilliston, he turned the conversation toward the man they were about to see.
"Queer thing, isn't it?" he said, as they ascended the stairs. "Linton is the son of the vicar of Thorston."
"Ah! That no doubt accounts for his intimate knowledge of the locality. Do you know him?"