On entering the parlour, he found there a man of exceedingly ill appearance, both as to countenance and apparel.
"My name is Martin," said this person—"though you do not, I presume, know me."
Claire answered that he was to him an entire stranger.
"I have," said the man, speaking in a low, confidential tone of voice, "became cognisant of certain facts, which it much concerns you, or at least your adopted daughter, Fanny Elder, to know."
For a few moments, Claire was overcome with surprise.
"Concerns Fanny Elder to know! What do you mean, sir?"
"Precisely what I say. There has been a great fraud committed; and I know all the ins and the outs of it!"
"By whom?" asked Claire.
"Ah!" replied the visitor, "that we will come to after a while."
"Upon whom, then?"