"I am obliged for your confidence. In return, I am free to state that your brother is now in the South of France." "As you are here, Mr. Bruce," she said, "I may as well get some advice gratis. Can people writ him in the South of France? Can they ask me to pay his debts?" "Under ordinary circumstances they can do neither. Certainly not the latter." "I hope not. But they sometimes come very near to it, as I know to my cost." "Indeed! How?" Mrs. Hillmer hesitated. Her smile was a trifle scornful, and her color rose again as she answered: "People are not averse to taking advantage of circumstances. I have had some experience of this trait in debt-collectors already. But they must be careful. You, as a legal man, must know that demands urged on account of personal reasons may come very near to levying blackmail." "Surely, Mrs. Hillmer, you do not suspect me of being a dun. Perish the thought! You could never be in debt to me." "Very nice of you. Don't you represent those people on Leadenhall Street, then?" "What people?" "Messrs. Dodge & Co." "No; why do you ask?" "Because my brother entered into what he called a 'deal' with them. He underwrote some shares in a South African mine, as a nominal affair, he told me, and now they want him to pay for them because the company is not supported by the public." "No, I do not represent Dodge & Co." "Is there something else then? Whom do you represent?" "To be as precise as permissible, I may say that my inquiries in no sense affect financial matters." "What then?" "Well, there is a woman in the case." Mrs. Hillmer was evidently both relieved and interested. "No, you don't say," she said. "Tell me all about it. I never knew Bertie to be much taken up with the fair sex. I am all curiosity. Who is she?" He did not take advantage of the mention of a name which in no way stood for Sydney. Besides, perhaps the initial stood for Herbert. He resolved to try another tack. Glancing at his watch he said: "It is nearly seven o'clock. I have already detained you an unconscionable time. You were going out. Permit me to call again, and we can discuss matters at leisure." He rose, and the lady sighed: "You were just beginning to be entertaining. I was only going to dine at a restaurant. I am quite tired of being alone." Was it a hint? He would see. "Are you dining by yourself, then, Mrs. Hillmer?" "I hardly know. I may bring my maid." Claude now made up his mind. "May I venture," he said, "after such an informal introduction, to ask you to dine with me at the Prince's Restaurant, and afterwards, perhaps, to look in at the Jollity Theatre?" The lady was unfeignedly pleased. She arranged to call for him in her brougham within twenty minutes, and Bruce hurried off to Victoria Street in a hansom to dress for this unexpected branch of the detective business.