“You have been very kind to me. Surely I may know your real name?”
“No, Miss Ranscomb. For certain very important reasons I do not wish to disclose it. Pardon me—will you not? I ask that favour of you.”
“But will you not satisfy my curiosity?”
“At my personal risk? No. I do not think you would wish me to do that—eh?” he asked in a tone of mild reproof.
Then he went on:
“I’m awfully sorry I could not approach you openly. In London I found out that you were up here, so I thought it best to see you in secret. You know why I have come to you, Miss Ranscomb—eh?”
“On behalf of Mr. Henfrey.”
“Yes. He is still in hiding. It has been impossible—through force of circumstances—for him to send you further messages.”
“Where is he? I want to see him.”
“Have patience, Miss Ranscomb, and I will arrange a meeting between you.”