Owain drew a long breath of relief when Vane finished, for he also mistrusted the meddlesome little man. Had Spruce understood the situation it was very certain that he would have attempted to make an income out of the same by blackmail, particularly now that Hench had money in large quantities. But as he was quite ignorant of everything there was nothing to be feared. "Then it's not from that quarter the information about my real name is to come to Gwen?" "No! Set your mind at rest so far. Madame Alpenny is the lady likely to queer your pitch." "But she doesn't know where I am." "Oh yes, she does. Mrs. Bell's cottage in Cookley, Essex, was the address she gave me as one likely to find you." Hench swore under his breath. "How did she find out?" "Hurry no man's cattle, my son," said Vane sagely. "You must be introduced to the subject gradually, so that you may admire my diplomatic skill. I came to Mrs. Tesk's establishment to ask for you, as that--according to my story--was the address you gave me. Mrs. Tesk didn't know where you had gone to, so I paid civil attentions to Madame Alpenny and confessed that I was your very good friend. Then she told me--when we became better acquainted, mind you--that you were her very good friend, and would shortly be her very good son-in-law." "Nothing of the sort," cried Hench violently. "I proposed to Zara, and she refused me as she loves Bracken." "Zara said nothing about that proposal or her Bracken engagement to Madame Alpenny, as she's a deuced sight too much afraid of the old hag. Madame Alpenny told me that she had given you permission to marry Zara whenever you got the cash. She mentioned that, as you were the nephew of Squire Evans who had been murdered, you were now rich." "How did she know that?" asked Hench, remembering the visit paid by the Hungarian lady to his deceased uncle. "Oh, she told me that your father, some twenty years ago, wished to marry her, and gave a sketch of his family history." "I know. It was the word 'Rhaiadr' he mentioned which revived her recollection and led to the advertisement being inserted." "The deuce!" said Vane curiously. "She told me nothing of that." "No, she wouldn't," growled Hench impatiently. "Go on. I can speak later." "Well, then," proceeded the barrister, "Madame Alpenny knew that you inherited the estate; also your real name and all the rest of it." "My father told her." "Exactly, and she frankly confessed that she had refused him because the estate was going to you and not to your father. She never bothered any more about the matter until she met you at The Home of the Muses. Then the name 'Rhaiadr' revived her memory, and she wished you to marry Zara when you became rich. After seeing the death of your uncle in the newspapers she was certain that you had entered into your kingdom, and is coming down to see if you will keep your promise and marry Zara." "Did she say that she could make it hot for me if I didn't?"