She heard the visitor utter the name of her protector, and became instantly interested.
“This is Doctor Diamond, dear,” explained her father. “You have heard Mr Farquhar speak of him.”
The little Doctor jumped to his feet and bowed, while the girl, in dark skirt and clean white blouse, graciously acknowledged his greeting.
She was anxious to learn what connection this dwarfed man could have with her mysterious protector.
“I heard you speak of a Mr Mullet, Doctor,” she remarked. “Is that a man known as ‘Red Mullet’?”
“Yes, Miss Griffin. He is a friend of mine.”
“Or rather you are a great friend of his, I have heard—eh?”
“Then you know him!” exclaimed the Doctor, much surprised. “You met him abroad, I suppose?” The girl did not reply. She was puzzled at the curious connection between the red-haired man who had been her janitor and the ugly little Doctor who was Frank’s friend.
“I know him,” she said at last. “And being a friend of yours, he is a friend of ours.”
“That’s so,” declared the Doctor, laughing. “Some people say ill things of him, but I have known him for some years, and he has always acted straight and honourably towards me.”