'Montagu Babbacombe--a name known all over the world.'
The little man eyed me sharply.
'I meant, what is his real name?'
'His real name? What do you mean? That is his real name.'
'How long have you known him?'
'May I ask, sir, what prompts you to put that inquiry to me?'
'I merely thought that Mr. Babbacombe resembles a person with whom I was once acquainted, and I wondered if he might be any relation of his; that is all.'
'Ah, as to that, I know nothing. I am only here to testify to Mr. Montagu Babbacombe's bona-fides as a sleeping man, and that I unhesitatingly do.'
I held out a sovereign between my finger and thumb.
'Can you give me Mr. Babbacombe's private address?'