"I can not believe," he said crispily, "that this apparent clumsiness and lack of subtlety is real. Doubtless you have your own reasons for wishing me to be in a secluded room at this time, but Sir Haldred is efficiently protected even now. Stand still."
Muzzle pressed against my chest, he ran his hand over my garments for concealed weapons, seeming slightly surprized when he found none.
"Still," he murmured as if to himself, "a man who can burst an iron lock with his bare hands has scant need of weapons."
"You are wasting valuable time," I said impatiently. "I was sent here tonight to kill Sir Haldred Frenton——"
"By whom?" the question was shot at me.
"By the man who sometimes goes disguised as a leper."
He nodded, a gleam in his scintillant eyes.
"My suspicions were correct, then."
"Doubtless. Listen to me closely—do you desire the death or arrest of that man?"
Gordon laughed grimly.