"Why, if that animated truncheon knew what I know of this business he would arrest Mensmore forthwith. If he did, what would result? A scandal, a thorough exposure, possibly the ruin of Mensmore's love-making if he be an innocent man. That must be stopped. But how, without forewarning Mensmore himself?--and he may be guilty. Chance may favor White, as it favored me, in disclosing the identity of the missing Corbett. And what of the _real_ Corbett? What on earth has _he_ got to do with it, and why has Mensmore taken his name? If ever I get to the bottom of this business I may well congratulate myself. The sole result of all my labor thus far may be summed up in a sentence--I have not yet come face to face with the man whom I can honestly suspect as Lady Dyke's murderer. Not much, my boy!" Claude uttered the last sentence aloud, startling Smith, who was clearing the table. "Beg pardon, sir," cried Smith. "Oh, nothing. I was only expressing an opinion." "I thought, perhaps, sir, you was thinkin' of Mr. White." "What of him?" "Your remark, sir, hexactly hexpresses my hopinion of 'im." Smith was not a badly educated man, but the least excitement produced an appalling derangement of the letter "h" in his vocabulary. "Mr. White is a sharp fellow in his own way, Smith." "Maybe, but why should 'e come pokin' round 'ere pryin' into your little affairs-deecur?" "My what?" "Sorry, sir, but that's what a French maid I once knew called 'em. Flirtations, sir. Mashes." "Smith, have you been drinking?" "Me, sir?" "Well, explain yourself. I never flirted with a woman in my life." "That's what I told 'im, sir. 'My master's a regular saint,' says I, 'a sort of middle-aged ankyrite.' But Mr. White 'e wouldn't 'ave it at no price. 'Come now, Smith,' says 'e, 'your guv'nor's pretty deep. 'E's a toff, 'e is, an' knows lots of lydies--titled lydies.' 'Very like,' says I, 'but 'e doesn't mash 'em.' 'Then what price that lydy who called for 'im in a keb afore 'e went away? An' who's 'e gone to Monte Carlo with?' This was durin' your absence, sir." "Go on, Smith. Anything else?" "Well, sir, that rather flung me out of my stride, as the sayin' is, as I _'ad_ seen the lydy in question. An' Mr. White 'as a nasty way of putting you on your oath, so to speak. But I never owned up." Claude laughed. "Excellent. Mr. White has a keen nose for false scents. I have already told him to let my affairs alone. He means no harm." But the reference to a "lydy in a keb" had suggested an immediate plan of action to the barrister. He would call to see Mrs. Hillmer. He wrote a note asking her if he might come to tea that afternoon, and sent it by a boy messenger. In return he received this answer. "Mrs. Hillmer will be at home at four o'clock if Mr. Bruce cares to call then."