“No; because I had made a mistake in another direction. But—but, hark?”
I listened and heard a footstep outside on the stairs.
“The Professor!” Kirk exclaimed. “He has returned. I’ll introduce you.”
I rose from my chair, my teeth set together, my hand gripping the edge of the table.
An instant later the door opened, and I stood boldly face to face with the impostor.
Kirk, with that calm suavity of manner that so annoyed and irritated me, introduced us.
But I bowed coldly to the well-dressed, elderly impostor, a man with keen, deep-set eyes, and a short, scrubby grey beard, asking of my companion:
“Is this farce really necessary, Mr Kirk, when I know the truth?”
The new-comer looked askance at his accomplice, who gave him a quick, meaning look.
“Ah! my dear Mr Holford!” exclaimed the bogus Professor, “I’ve been most anxious to meet you for a considerable time. This is a great pleasure.”