"Yes," replies John, wonderingly.
"At that hour the signer was in his own room, engaged in other business, and oblivious of the fact whether one John Alexander Craig, M.D., was in the land of the living or not."
All of which excites the curiosity of the young man not a little.
"Since you know so much, professor, perhaps you can tell me who it is plays with me, the object he has, and whether my mother was ever in that house on the Strada Mezzodi."
"I can answer in part. I believe she was there. These enemies of yours, dear boy, have baited a trap. You are about to walk into it."
"A trap, professor! why should they seek to harm me?"
"They have reasons. I can't mention them all, but perhaps some event in your past may give you a clew. Have you ever heard of a person, by name Pauline Potter?"
The young man starts.
"Ah! I see you have," pursues Philander, dryly.
"I confess it; she was a pretty actress, but my boyish passion for her died out when I discovered her perfidy."