CHAPTER XXVI GOOD NIGHT When Rodney Elmore went home, as his cab drew up in front of his lodgings a man came quickly across the road and stood so that he was between him and the entrance to the house. "Mr. Rodney Elmore?" Rodney looked him up and down. It was not a very good light just there, but it was clear enough for him to recognise the man who had greeted him. For the first time in his life a feeling that was something very like dizziness went all over him, so that he all but reeled; but that self-control which so seldom quitted him except for the briefest instant was back before it had actually gone. He did not reel, but stood quite still, and, with a smile upon his face, looked the man fairly and squarely in the eyes. "That is my name--I am Rodney Elmore; but you, sir--pray, who are you?" "My name is Edward Giles. But I don't think that that can mean much to you, Mr. Elmore." "I am very pleased to meet you, Mr. Giles, but, as you say, your name does convey absolutely nothing to me. What is it that I can have the pleasure of doing for you at this latish hour?" The man was silent for a moment. Then a curious smile flitted across his face as he came a half-step nearer. "Think, Mr. Elmore. I shouldn't be surprised if you had rather a good memory. Don't you remember me?" "Not the least in the world, Mr. Giles." "It isn't so very long ago since you saw me." "Indeed! I presume it was on rather a special occasion, Mr. Giles, since you appear to be rather anxious to recall it to my recollection." "It was rather a special occasion for you, Mr. Elmore; and a still more special occasion--for Mr. Patterson." "My uncle?" "Yes, Mr. Elmore, your uncle. Don't you remember last Sunday evening at Brighton station?" Rodney hesitated. "Why do you ask?" "You do remember, Mr. Elmore, and so do I. I can see you still, coming sauntering down the platform smoking a cigarette and looking into the first-class carriages to see which of them would suit you best. You chose one, and then stood for a moment or two at the door, looking up and down the platform, to see, as it were, if there was anything which caught your eye. Then you got into the carriage, and took the seat at the farther end, facing the engine. You thought you were going to journey up all alone, but just as the train was starting a stout, elderly gentleman came bustling along. Yours was the only carriage door that was open, and I helped him in. I shut the door, and you went out of the station together. Don't you remember that? Look at me carefully. Don't you remember that I was the party who helped your uncle into your carriage? Just look at me and think." Again Rodney hesitated, and seemed to think. Then he said, in a tone the indifference of which was perhaps a trifle studied: "Really, Mr. Giles, I don't quite know what it is you expect me to say." The man gave a little laugh. "Anyhow, Mr. Elmore, you've said it."