"I know too much or too little," he said. "Mr. Seymour is by way of being a friend of mine--in fact, I was the means of doing him a great service the other night. But I see from the expression of your face that you know all about that."
"Have you seen Seymour in the daylight, just as he is?" the stranger asked eagerly. "You know what I mean."
"I know what you mean perfectly well," Jack replied. "I have seen Seymour just as he is. To make another shot, I have also seen Lord Barmouth just as he is."
The stranger sat bolt upright in his chair, and regarded Jack with grim satisfaction.
"This is good news indeed," he said. "I am pleased to find out that I am betraying no secrets in my conversation with you. What I want you to do is this--I want you to arrange a meeting between Seymour and myself. It will be dangerous for me to leave the hotel at present, so that you must arrange it in a way that Seymour can come here."
"If you will be good enough to tell me your name," Jack suggested. "It is just possible----"
The stranger shook his head, and hoped that Jack would not deem him guilty of being discourteous if he withheld his name for the present. He took from a desk a small, curiously-designed ring, and passed it across to Jack.
"I think you will find that all that is necessary," he explained. "If you will take that ring and say that it came from the owner, I am quite sure that Seymour will be willing to fall in with my wishes. And now, I will bid you good-night, sir. It is good to know that we have a man of your courage and intelligence on our side."
So saying, the stranger rose to his feet, and extended his long, slim hand to Jack. He intimated that Jack might come and see him from time to time, but that caution would be absolutely necessary.
"Ask for Jabez Smith," he said. "That is the name under which I am known here. If you only knew how fortunate a thing it is that we have met to-night! But Lord Barmouth and Seymour will be able to prove that to you presently. Once more, good-night."