"Never saw him," grumbled Webb. "Mrs. Brand said she had one, but she paid the rent and looked after the house, and kept very much to herself. I never set eyes on him."

"He's a commercial traveller," the boy said.

"The boy's a liar," retorted the agreeable Mr. Webb. "Mrs. Brand was too much the lady to marry a commercial. She used to talk of her husband, but she never let on his employment."

"Did she rent the cottage in her own name?"

"Yes. I don't believe she had a husband."

"What reference did she give."

"Six months' rent in advance. Stop! She did refer me to a schoolmaster."

"A schoolmaster? What is his name?"

"Professor Bocaros."

"A professor--of what?"