"However that may be, they quarrelled in Bristol. Count Lukstein came down from London to take the waters at the Hotwell, by St. Vincent's rock, and has resided there for the last three months. 'Twas a trumpery dispute, but nought would content Sir Julian but that they must settle it with swords. He was on the way to the trysting-place when he was taken." And with a final rap on the table, Mr. Vincott leaned back in his chair, and froze again to a cold deliberation. "That," said he, "is the second fact I have to bring to your notice." "And the first," I cried, pressing the point on him, "the first is that no one knows who gave the information!" "I observed, I believe," he replied, returning my gaze with a mild rebuke, "that between those two facts there is no connection." At the time it seemed to me that he was bent on fobbing me off. But I have since thought that he was answering after his fashion the innuendo which my words wrapped up. He took out his snuff-box as he spoke, and inhaled a great pinch. The action suddenly recalled to me the man[oe]uvres which I had watched from the window. "It was a foreigner," I said, starting up in my excitement, "it was a foreigner who dogged your steps this afternoon." "I like the ornaments of the ceiling," says he (for thither had his eyes returned); and, as though he were continuing the sentence: "I may tell you, Mr. Buckler, that Count Lukstein left Bristol eleven days ago." "Did he take his servants with him?" I asked; and then, a new thought striking me: "Eleven days ago! That is, Mr. Vincott, the day after Julian's arrest." "Mr. Buckler," says he, "you appear to me to lack discretion." "I only re-state your facts," I answered, with some heat. "The facts themselves are perhaps a trifle indiscreet," he admitted. "I shall certainly have that ceiling copied in my own house." And with that he rose from his chair. "'Tis close on eight by the clock, and we must hit upon some disguise. But, Lord! how it is to be contrived with that canary poll of yours I know not, unless you shave your head and wear my peruke." "I have a better device than that," said I. "Well, man, out with it!" For I spoke with hesitation, fearing his irony. "You can trust the people of the inn?" He nodded his head. "Else I should not have sent you hither. They are bound to me in gratitude. I saved them last year from some pother with the Excise." "And Lucy--what of her?" "She is the landlord's daughter." Thus assured, I delivered to him my plan--that I would mask my person beneath one of Lucy's gowns. Vincott leapt at the notion, "'Od rabbit me!" he cried, "I misliked your face at first, but I begin to love it dearly now. For I see 'twas given you for some purpose."