"Are you well, aunt?" he asked blithely.
"Yes, Frederic. This is an unusual time for you to call. Have you any special business with me?"
"Oh, no, aunt, but I happened to be passing. I have a friend with me. Will you allow me to introduce him?"
"Yes."
"Then I will go down and bring him up. I left him in the hall."
When her nephew left the room Mrs. Vernon said rapidly, "Stay here, Robert, when my nephew comes back. If the man with him is the same one you saw at the hotel make me a signal."
"Yes, Mrs. Vernon."
Frederic Vernon entered with his companion.
"Aunt," he said, "let me introduce my friend Mr. Remington. Remington, my aunt, Mrs. Vernon."
Mrs. Vernon bowed formally, and did not seem to see the outstretched hand of her nephew's companion. She scrutinized him carefully, however.