“And I am pretty sure he _is_ a very old friend,” observed the Colonial. “The first time I spotted him coming out of that office in the City--I had placed myself where he wasn’t likely to see me--his face seemed familiar. There was a young chap, not one of ours, whom I’ve seen several times with Stormont in the old Australian days. He wasn’t known to any of our lot, and Stormont never said much about him, never mentioned his name, but I always had a notion they were in some jobs together. When Stormont went to quod under the name of Manvers, this chap disappeared altogether. Now, I’m not prepared to swear to it, but I’ve got more than a notion that this fellow--he was a young man then--and Whitehouse are one and the same person.” Grewgus left presently, very satisfied with his day’s work, taking with him the papers which contained a full account of the trial and conviction of Manvers, otherwise Stormont. The next day he had a long interview with Lydon. “Well, I don’t begrudge the money,” said the young man, after listening to what had passed between the two men. “We have now proved absolutely that the man is a criminal, and a pretty desperate one at that.” The thing that was worrying him was this--had things now come to such a pass that he ought to pass on the information he had acquired to Jasper Stormont? Was it right that Gloria should ever return to her uncle’s custody? Without mentioning his exact relations with the girl, relations which Grewgus already knew of from Newcombe, he put this question. “Let’s wait a bit, something else of a confirmatory nature may turn up,” answered the detective. “You still want me to watch the little game going on at Curzon Street. Something may come to light there.” And so it was left. Lydon would not approach Jasper Stormont just yet. There was still some time before he would return to China, and until then Gloria was safe from further association with her criminal uncle. A week later there came to Grewgus a telephone call from the offices of Messrs. Shelford and Taylor, the solicitors. “Is that you, Grewgus? Good morning.” It was Mr. Shelford speaking. “I am sending a client of mine, Lord Wraysbury, round to confer with you. A very serious business, I fear. He will explain it all to you. Divorce proceedings are threatened, but I think blackmail is the real object. You might know something or find out something about the people. Will twelve o’clock suit you?” At the mention of Wraysbury’s name, Grewgus had a premonition of what was in the air. “Perfectly, Mr. Shelford, I will be in,” he said. “What are the names of the parties?” The reply was what he expected. “A young married couple of the name of Edwards. They live in Curzon Street.” CHAPTER NINETEEN There was a decided feeling of elation in Grewgus as he waited the advent of Lord Wraysbury. The loose strands were being gathered together by this unexpected visit.