"I thought so!" rubbing his hands with a satisfied air.
"But that physiognomy, I never saw before."
The detective laughs.
"No, this is one of my business faces, and you, sir, are one of the few who have known me simply as a man, without inference to my occupation; a man like me may be expected to turn up anywhere, but you, sir, are the last man I expected to see in this place."
"Nevertheless, I have been an inhabitant of W—— for a year; but enough of me for the present. Mr. Bathurst, this lady is Miss Wardour, in whose service you have been retained."
Miss Wardour extends a gracious, welcoming hand.
"Mr. Bathurst has heard me express my desire to know him," she says, with a little ripple of laughter, "so no more need be said on the subject. Mr. Bathurst you came as opportunely as a fairy godmother; and now let us go in and take my aunt into our counsels."
She lifts the lace curtains and passes in; as she goes, Dr. Heath lays a detaining hand on the detective's arm.
"Mr. Bathurst," he whispers; "in W—— I am Dr. Heath, from nowhere."
"I comprehend," significantly.