"You have roused my curiosity. Please enlighten me," he said.
"You are quite sure you will not be offended?" She looked at them both.
"I shall not, and I am the principal person to consider," said Hector.
"Then, if you promise not to be angry with me, I will; after all, I am sure he was a gentleman although in reduced circumstances," she said.
"Who was a gentleman?" asked Picton.
"The man I for the moment fancied resembled Mr. Rolfe," she said. "It was the day you came to Torwood."
Rita told them about the tramp she had befriended, and added:
"He was a well-bred man who must have met with some great misfortune. I pitied him, my heart bled for him; he was no common man, it was easy to recognize that. He thanked me courteously and went on his way down the road. I have often thought of him since and wondered what became of him. When you first came up, Mr. Rolfe, you reminded me of him, in looks and build, that is all. Have I offended you?"
"Not at all," said Hector. "You are quite sure I am not your gentleman tramp? Look again."
"Don't be absurd! Of course you are not the man; it was a mere passing resemblance," she said.