“They are simply these: A man who is a good friend of yours asked me if I would come and see you, and I said I would.”

“He wanted you to tell me something?”

“Yes.”

“But, under conditions?”

“Precisely.”

“Who is this friend?”

“One who has, I believe, warned you of danger before now.”

“Ha!”

The villain’s eyes glistened.

“Perhaps”—speaking in a slow tone—“he is connected with the police force?”