The inquiry was uttered in a tone that could not be construed as proceeding from any emotion but that of fear. A flush came into Austin's ingenuous face. 'I beg your pardon, sir. I never wish to be otherwise than open. But, as you had previously desired me not to speak of the lady who came to your house that night, I did not know but the same wish might apply to the visit of to-day.' 'True, true,' murmured Mr. Hunter; 'I do _not_ wish this visit of the man's spoken of. Never mention his name, especially to Mrs. Hunter. I suppose he did not impose upon me,' added he, with a poor attempt at a forced smile: 'it _was_ Gwinn, of Ketterford, was it not?' 'Certainly,' said Austin, feeling surprised. 'Did you not know him previously, sir?' 'Never. And I wish I had not known him now.' 'If--if--will you forgive my saying, sir, that, should you have any transaction with him, touching money matters, it is necessary to be wary. Many a one has had cause to rue the getting into the clutches of Lawyer Gwinn.' A deep, heavy sigh, burst from Mr. Hunter. He had turned from Austin. The latter spoke again in his ardent sympathy. 'Sir, is there any way in which I can serve you?--_any_ way? You have only to command me.' 'No, no, Clay. I fell into that man's clutches--as you have aptly termed it--years ago, and the penalty must be paid. There is no help for it.' 'Not knowing him, sir?' 'Not knowing him. And not knowing that I owed it, as I certainly did not know, until a week or two back. I no more suspected that--that I was indebted there, than I was indebted to you.' Mr. Hunter had grown strangely confused and agitated, and the dew was rising on his livid face. He made a hollow attempt to laugh it off, and seemed to shun the gaze of his clerk. 'This comes of the freaks of young men,' he observed, facing Austin after a pause, and speaking volubly. 'Austin Clay, I will give you a piece of advice. Never put your hand to a bill. You may think it an innocent bit of paper, which can cost you at most but the sum that is marked upon it: but it may come back to you in after years, and you must purchase it with thousands. Have nothing to do with bills, in any way; they will be a thorn in your side.' 'So, it is a money affair!' thought Austin. 'I might have known it was nothing else, where Gwinn was concerned. Here's Dr. Bevary coming in, sir,' he added aloud. The physician was inside the room ere the words had left Austin's lips. Mr. Hunter had seized upon a stray plan, and seemed bent upon its examination. 'Rather a keen-looking customer, that, whom I met at your gate,' began the doctor. 'Who was it?' 'Keen-looking customer?' repeated Mr. Hunter. 'A fellow dressed in black, with a squint and a white neckerchief; an ill-favoured fellow, whoever he is.' 'How should I know about him?' replied Mr. Hunter, carelessly. 'Somebody after the men, I suppose.'