"That villain Rainford! I am sorry even now that I suffered him to escape!" ejaculated the Earl, scarcely knowing how to act or speak.
"Rainford!" cried the physician. "Why, that is the name of the man who was taken up on suspicion of having robbed her ladyship near Hounslow!"
"And that was Thomas Rainford who was here ere now!" returned Arthur, with bitter emphasis, as if he hated the name.
"Rainford!" repeated the physician, in astonishment. "I thought that man's name was Jameson?"
The reader will remember that such was the denomination under which the highwayman passed when residing in South Moulton Street.
"What! do you know him?" demanded the Earl, gazing upon the doctor with unfeigned surprise.
"I once attended a patient at his abode," was the laconic reply: for Lascelles remembered the solemn promise which he had made to Tom Rain on that occasion.
"And where did he live?" inquired Arthur, eagerly. "I may wish to see that man again."
"Where he lived then, he does not live now," returned the physician; "for he moved away the very next day after I was called in; and whither he went to, the people of the house knew not."
"I believe him to be a man of bad character," observed Arthur hastily. "But enough of him—at least for the present. Doctor, can I be permitted to see Lady Hatfield for a few minutes?"