“Yes, especially as a look through the peep-hole confirmed Miss Chain’s suspicions, whatever they were.”
“Do you think, sir, that he was looking after her?”
“To be candid, Trigger, I rather thought that the fellow was looking after me, and wanted to know where my balloons were located. I have come across him three times before this morning.”
“Indeed, sir, that seems odd.”
“I first saw him in Trafalgar Square, next he passed me in a hansom when my cab broke down, and then to my surprise he turned up in the palace, talking to a young lady and a gentleman, and he had that same little fellow with him whom we saw behind him outside the room. I noticed, too, that the tall man gave me an ugly look, as if he had some knowledge of what my business here consisted of.”
“I think I have heard you say, sir, that your uncle and your father both object to ballooning?”
“Yes, they do. That reminds me, I have just heard that my father has met with an accident on board one of his own ships. The mishap is reported to have occurred whilst he was on his way from Sydney to Cape Town, and my uncle, a merchant in London, is anxiously looking for further information. I must see him as soon as possible, Trigger. But, as regards these queer strangers who seem to be following me about, I scarcely know what to think, for the big, dark fellow is shadowing Miss Chain as well, it would appear. I hope my uncle has not told him that I am here.”
“I don’t suppose he has, sir. For my part, I rather think he is after the young lady.”
“After the pretty girl who was with him in the palace, do you mean?”
“No, sir, I meant after Miss Chain, for he may have known her before she came here. But these shadows are wonderful things to terrify people, though I don’t believe they’d send you into a fit, Mr Goodall.”