"Mr. Challis?" I asked.
"Yes," he said.
"I won't keep you now," I said, "but perhaps you could let me know some time when I could see you."
"Oh, yes," he said, with the air of a man who is constantly subjected to annoyance by strangers. "But perhaps you wouldn't mind telling me what it is you wish to see me about? I might be able to settle it now, at once."
"I am staying at the Wood Farm," I began. "I am interested in a very remarkable child——"
"Ah! take my advice, leave him alone," interrupted Challis quickly.
I suppose I looked my amazement, for Challis laughed. "Oh, well," he said, "of course you won't take such spontaneous advice as that. I'm in no hurry. Come in." He took off his heavy overcoat and threw it into the tonneau. "Come round again in an hour," he said to the chauffeur.
"It's very good of you," I protested, "I could come quite well at any other time."
"I'm in no hurry," he repeated. "You had better come to the scene of Victor Stott's operations. He hasn't been here for six weeks, by the way. Can you throw any light on his absence?"
I made a friend that afternoon. When the car came back at four o'clock, Challis sent it away again. "I shall probably stay down here to-night," he said to the butler, and to me: "Can you stay to dinner? I must convince you about this child."