Rudolph looked at her curiously.
“Do you know who it is that has taken your father’s house?” he asked in a dry tone.
“Yes, a Mr. Banks. He came this morning, as soon as papa and mamma were out of the house.”
“And do you know anything about him? Is he a friend of your father’s?”
“No. He was looking for a furnished house down here, and heard that we wanted to let ours. It was all arranged through his solicitor and papa’s. He is an invalid, I believe, come here for change of air. Why do you ask?”
“Because I was in the lane between your garden and this just before I came here, and I saw a man walking along the grass path, and recognized him as the man I found watching Mrs. Dale a fortnight ago. There’s a secret for you, in return for yours.”
Mabin looked frightened. She remembered her own suspicions that the man who had presented himself as Mr. Banks was an impostor.
“What was he like?” she asked.
“He was very thin and pale, and he looked like a gentleman. I could hardly tell whether he was old or young.”
“Perhaps,” she faltered, “he isn’t Mr. Banks at all!”