There was one point that Lewis did not understand. How his cousin could have learned of his father’s presence in the city. He did not suspect Mr. Sharp’s fidelity, but thought it possible that he might, by some blunder, have revealed to Robert that of which he should have been kept ignorant. At all events the lawyer was the only one likely to yield him any satisfaction upon this point. Accordingly, willing to be out of the way for the present, he seized his hat, and hastened to the office of his confidential agent.
Mr. Sharp was, it must be confessed, awaiting with no little anxiety and curiosity, the result of Mr. Ford’s visit, which might so materially effect his own interests.
There was a sharp knock at the door. He rose and opened it.
Lewis entered in great evident perturbation.
“Bless me, what’s the matter?” exclaimed Mr. Sharp, in affected surprise.
“You may well ask me what’s the matter.”
“You don’t mean to say——”
“I do mean to say that all my plans are menaced with defeat.”
“But, how?”
“My cousin Robert is at this moment with his father.”