"And I accept it cheerfully," returned Benstead.
Markham then took leave of the officer, and having paid a visit to Mr. Gregory, returned home.
CHAPTER CLV.
PATRIOTISM.
It was late in the evening of the day on which Richard adopted the measures just recorded to ensure the most complete investigation into the case of Katherine Wilmot, that a foreigner called at Markham Place and requested a few moments' private conversation with our hero.
The request was immediately acceded to; and the foreigner was shown into the library.
He was a man of middle age, with a dark complexion, and was dressed with considerable taste. His air was military, and his manners were frank and open.
He addressed Richard in bad English, and tendered an apology for thus intruding upon him.
Markham, believing him, by his accent and appearance, to be an Italian, spoke to him in that language; and the foreigner immediately replied in the same tongue with a fluency which convinced our hero that he was not mistaken relative to the country to which his visitor belonged.
"The object of my visit is of a most important and solemn nature," said the Italian; "and you will excuse me if I open my business by asking you a few questions."
"This is certainly a strange mode of proceeding," observed our hero; "but you are aware that I must reserve to myself the right of replying or not to your queries, as I may think fit."