"Oh," said the other. "Papa told a confused story about the house where he was confined being raided by the police, and a chase through the woods. I thought maybe you were mixed up in it."
The old man had not recognized him, then. Evan was relieved. He affected to be greatly astonished.
"The police!" he said. "Who could have put them on to it? There was nothing in the paper this morning."
"No, thank Heaven!" said Deaves fervently. "Maybe his mind was wandering. I couldn't make sense of his story. I hope and pray the thing is done with now."
But poor George Deaves was due to receive a shock when the second man presently entered.
"Letter by messenger, sir. No answer."
At the sight of the superscription Deaves turned livid and fell back in his chair. He stared at the envelope like a man bewitched. He moistened his lips and essayed to speak, but no sound came out.
"What's the matter?" asked Evan when the servant had left.
"Another letter—already!" whispered Deaves huskily. "And only yesterday—four hundred thousand! What a fool I was to believe in their promises!"
"But open it!" said Evan.