The detective—for he had tacitly admitted the fact of his profession—looked doubtfully at Talbot Bulstrode.
"You're a lawyer, I suppose?" he said.
"I am Mr. Talbot Bulstrode, member for Penruthy, and the husband of Mrs. Mellish's first cousin."
The detective bowed.
"My name is Joseph Grimstone, of Scotland Yard and Ball's Pond," he said; "and I certainly see no objection to our working together. If Mr. Mellish is prepared to act on the square, I'm prepared to act with him, and to accept any reward his generosity may offer. But if he or any friend of his wants to hoodwink Joseph Grimstone, he'd better think twice about the game before he tries it on; that's all."
Mr. Bulstrode took no notice of this threat, but looked at his watch before replying to the detective.
"It's a quarter-past six," he said. "Mr. Mellish dines at seven. Can you call at the house, say at nine, this evening? You shall then have all the assistance it is in our power to give you."
"Certainly, sir. At nine this evening."
"We shall be prepared to receive you. Good afternoon."
Mr. Grimstone touched his hat, and strolled quietly away under the shadow of the beeches, while Talbot Bulstrode walked back to rejoin his friend.