The tall man laughed, and said:
“I have already told you that my name is X.”
Hugh regarded the stranger with distinct suspicion. It was curious that he should discover them together, yet he made but little comment.
“We were just speaking about you, Mr. Henfrey,” the tall man went on. “I believed that you were still in Belgium.”
“How did you know I was there?”
“Oh!—well, information concerning your hiding-place reached me,” was his enigmatical reply. “I am, however, glad you have been able to return to England in safety. I was about to arrange a meeting between you. But I advise you to be most careful.”
“You seem to know a good deal concerning me,” Hugh remarked resentfully, looking at the stern, rather handsome face in the moonlight.
“This is the gentleman who sought me out in Nice, and first told me of your peril, Hugh. I recognize his voice, and have to thank him for a good deal,” the girl declared.
“Really, Miss Ranscomb, I require no thanks,” the polite stranger assured her. “If I have been able to render Mr. Henfrey a little service it has been a pleasure to me. And now that you are together again I will leave you.”
“But who are you?” demanded Hugh, filled with curiosity.